The clinical reference group has had a productive and busy year.
With an emphasis on contributing to allergy prevention, there have been a number of initiatives completed. We have taken stock of all web platforms that discuss allergy prevention, and there have been Facebook live events with the Plunket Digital Team and building of Well Child Tamariki Ora Provider connections.
A significant amount of work has been undertaken for the Allergy CRG Project Charter - Adrenaline Autoinjectors (AAI) in Schools. The main purpose of the charter is to collaborate with the Ministry of Education (MoE) and Ministry of Health (MoH) to advocate for tamariki and rangatahi to have access to an AAI at school and to advocate for training for school staff regarding the management of severe allergic reactions. Much of this work has been eased due to the funding of EpiPens in February this year. In conjunction with research collaborators, the data from the EpiPens in Schools survey was analysed and formed part of the Allergy CRG’s commissioned report on ‘A Review of AAI Practices in Schools.’ This body of work evaluates the use of AAI and the management of anaphylaxis in schools in comparison to the context of the New Zealand environment.
Guidelines for health professionals have been updated and made available and published on the Starship Clinical Network Webpage, including the Soy Infant Formula information sheet, Calcium Needs for Children with Cow’s Milk Allergy information for parents, and the Bee/Wasp Guideline. The Environmental Allergy Guideline is near completion as well.
The report on the findings of a stocktake of access to paediatric dietetic services for food allergies across Aotearoa has been completed and submitted to the MoH. This highlighted clear inequity in access to specialist dietetic support around the country. With the number of infants and children with allergies increasing, it is imperative that this is considered a high priority within any kind of health restructuring within Te Whatu Ora.
The network is additionally actively working with KidsHealth to develop whānau-centred resources in multiple formats to promote active participation in the development and implementation of management plans.