Media release from Healthcare Aotearoa

Auckland Paediatrician Innes Asher presented a key note at the RNZCGP Quality Symposium at Wellington this weekend on child health in NZ.

The presentation brought child health to the attention of the delegates as a priority area where more focus and commitment to change is required.

Prof Asher looked at the 'triple jeopardy 'of poor child health caused by the interplay of child poverty, poor housing and difficulty accessing primary health care services.

Around 22% of children in New Zealand live in poverty (defined as living in households with < 60% of the median income after housing costs).The child poverty rates in NZ are labelled a national disgrace by Child Poverty Action Group. Almost one in four children live in benefit dependant families and in relative poverty The OECD ranks NZ 24/25 in child health and safety (using infant deaths, immunisation rates and death from injury).

Children in Aotearoa New Zealand have unacceptable (and potentially avoidable) rates of serious skin infections and pneumonia -the rate for these infections is around double for Maori children. Pacific children living in some areas - including some suburbs in the greater Wellington area - are 50% more likely than other children to develop Rheumatic Fever.

Kids in cold, overcrowded, poor quality housing are more likely to get sick.

The conference also heard the effects of high fees acting as a barrier for parents and caregivers getting their sick children to the doctor.

Fees vary across the country from being free to around $34 for daytime visits and much higher (reportedly some up to $120) for seeking care after hours. Families will avoid using expensive after-hours clinics, and will seek care at Emergency Departments or present late with sicker children.

Improving access for children to after hour's primary care would allow families to get timely care and reduce pressures on hospital based ED services.

Many of the delegates at the conference expressed concern at the state of child health in NZ and wished to make a positive contribution to improve the current situation.

Health workers did not wish to be sitting around in year's time looking at the same statistics.

We can target specific prevention and treatment strategies to reduce conditions like Rheumatic Fever and Bronchiectasis and some successful initiatives were presented at the symposium. However many of the drivers of these illnesses relate to the wider social determinants of health.

Health Care Aotearoa calls on the National government to ensure future economic, health, social and welfare policy direction is integrated and prevents children becoming the silent victims of the recession - again- and work to lift the 200,000 children in the most vulnerable families out of poverty.

Urgent review of the tax system and how welfare payments are made to families is being looked at now. Children most in need require protection by family friendly policies and are required now.

Children do not vote and do not have a voice. Children depend on caring governments making good policy decisions in their best interests and on their behalf.