Child health report gets it right

19 November 2013: The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) thanks the Health Select committee for its inquiry into improving child health outcomes and preventing child abuse.

“They have got it right,” says NZNO nursing policy adviser and researcher Dr Jill Clendon, “We commend the Committee on the work they have done and strongly support the recommendations made in the report.”

“It is great to see the recommendations are based on sound evidence, not gut-feelings, rhetoric or ideology. This report is a clear call for focussed action and NZNO hopes it will be supported by this Government and all future governments.”

“Medium to long term investment in child health is essential and can only take place with cross-party and cross-government support for these initiatives. The degree of consensus shown in the report must be continued.”

“It is clear the Committee understands the role nurses can take to improve health outcomes for all New Zealanders. NZNO strongly supports improved access to nurse-led, school-based health services and that these should be provided from early childhood to secondary schools,” Clendon says.

“We are also pleased the report recommends improved access to contraception via appropriately trained nurses and a primary prevention approach to healthcare. Nurses are well-placed and highly educated to support many of the interventions recommended:  nurses are able to expertly assess, intervene, educate and monitor across health and social structures, ensuring effective integrated care.”

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