Guidance to support safe decision-making and planning for Well Child Tamariki Ora (WCTO) services during the COVID-19 Protection Framework.
Last updated: 30 November 2021
On this page:
- Well Child Tamariki Ora essential services
- Services at Green
- Services at Orange
- Services at Red
- Health services for babies and children
- Key Well Child Tamariki Ora contacts
Well Child Tamariki Ora essential services
Well Child Tamariki Ora is an essential service. WCTO kaimahi should only be deployed to other COVID-19 related services if necessary, and where there is capacity after the provision of WCTO services. All WCTO nurses and kaimahi are fully vaccinated.
Services at Green
At Green, there is limited community transmission and hospitalisations are at a manageable level.
Well Child Tamariki Ora
Well Child Tamariki Ora providers will operate at full service levels.
B4 School Checks
B4 School Checks will provide a full service, including vision and hearing tests.
Prevention of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy
Full services will be provided for the prevention of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI).
Services at Orange
At Orange there is increasing community transmission with increasing pressure on the health system.
Well Child Tamariki Ora
Well Child Tamariki Ora providers will operate at full service levels.
All core contacts should be offered in-person with appropriate pre-visit screening and limited face to face time to manage risk. The purpose is to engage whānau and plan ongoing service delivery.
Use some virtual delivery to reduce direct in-person contact time where clinically appropriate.
B4 School Checks
B4 School Checks will provide a full service, including vision and hearing tests.
Prevention of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy
Full services will be provided for the prevention of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI).
Services at Red
At Red, action is needed to protect the health system, with the system facing unsustainable numbers of hospitalisation.
Well Child Tamariki Ora
Well Child Tamariki Ora providers will operate at full service levels with:
- systematic risk assessment
- personal protection as advised for community based health services
- reduced duration of in-person contact.
All core contacts should be offered in-person with appropriate pre-visit screening and limited face to face time to manage risk. The purpose is to engage whānau and plan ongoing service delivery.
The application of pre-contact COVID-19 risk assessment, and related public health measures as directed for community based health services is essential for any in-person contact.
Use virtual telehealth approaches to reduce duration of in-person contact where clinically appropriate.
B4 School Checks
B4 School Checks and Vision Hearing Screening continue with systematic pre-contact COVID19 risk assessment and related public health measures as directed for community based health services. Virtual telehealth may be used for components of the B4SC to reduce the duration of in-person contact.
Prevention of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy
The prevention of SUDI and the distribution of safe sleep beds is an essential service and remains a priority.
The provision of infant safe sleep beds will be contactless. Delivery of safe sleep messaging will be provided virtually.
If whānau require a safe sleep bed or you need more information, please contact your local SUDI prevention coordinator or Hāpai te Hauora 027 601 3997.
Health services for babies and children
- Well Child Tamariki Ora
- About the B4 School Check
- Vision checks
- Hearing checks
- National SUDI Prevention Coordination Service
Key Well Child Tamariki Ora contacts
Rachael Hetaraka-Gotz, Acting Manager Well Child Tamariki Ora, [email protected]
Dr Tim Jelleyman, Chief Advisor Child and Youth, [email protected]