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CYHNCN Newborn Workstream

The Newborn Workstream is a national multidisciplinary group that supports the delivery of high-quality, cost-effective, and integrated newborn treatment programmes for babies and their whānau.

The CYHNCN Newborn workstream aims to provide clinical leadership in developing and maintaining a sustainable nationwide clinical service for newborns, delivered as close to home as possible.

This is achieved through a multi-pronged approach, including the appointment of a national, multidisciplinary Reference Group (RG) supported by medical, nursing, and allied health professionals. The RG fosters collaboration across neonatal units, disseminating information, discussing treatment advances, and implementing national guidelines.

Additionally, the RG provides service and treatment advice to the Paediatric Society of New Zealand | Te Kāhu Mātai Arotamariki o Aotearoa (PSNZ), the CYHNCN's Governance Group, and the Ministry of Health.

Workstream Priorities

The workstream's priorities for the coming year include:

Equity and Te Tiriti Ensuring that the Newborn RG’s Terms of Reference follow the PSNZ equity plan, with Te Tiriti and equity as central pillars.

Whānau Information Developing more content for the newborn section on the KidsHealth website to ensure up-to-date, easy-to-understand information is available for whānau.

Benchmarking Neonatal Units Benchmarking neonatal units across New Zealand using ANZNN data.

Family-Integrated Care (FiCare) Producing an endorsement document advocating for the implementation of FiCare in neonatal care nationwide.

National Cot Status Review Preparing a framework paper for Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, outlining key considerations for neonatal care, including transitional care requirements.

Practice Recommendations Review Reviewing the top three practice recommendations: neonatal care at 23-24 weeks gestation, skin care of neonates less than 28 weeks gestation, and the New Zealand Consensus Statement on the care of mother and baby(ies) at periviable gestations. The latter will be informed by data from the National Mortality Review Committee and ANZNN.

 

Clinical Resources and Guidelines

Whānau Resources

KidsHealth, supported by the Paediatric Society of New Zealand, is the go-to source for whānau seeking trusted child health information and resources.

Here are some links to relevant pages on the KidsHealth website:

Newborn babies

Spend time with your new baby to get to know them, and as you develop a bond they get to know you too. This lets your baby feel safe and free to learn and explore, and helps them to form relationships throughout their life. 

Check out the information and advice about caring for your newborn baby.

Crying

Crying is your baby's way of communicating. Pēpi (babies) often need a lot of calming, soothing and holding when they are upset.

What You Can Do When Your Baby Cries 

Safe sleep

Every year, too many New Zealand pēpi die suddenly during sleep. Find out about the best ways to reduce the risk. Make every sleep a safe sleep for your baby.

Safe Sleep For Your Baby

Vitamin K

Pēpi have low levels of vitamin K in their bodies at birth. Without vitamin K, pēpi are at risk of getting a rare bleeding disorder. A single vitamin K injection at birth is the most effective way of preventing this.

Vitamin K For Newborn Babies To Prevent Serious Bleeding

Tongue tie

Tongue tie is a condition that involves a small piece of tissue connecting the tongue to the bottom of the mouth. This is called the frenulum. When a baby's frenulum is short or tight it can stop their tongue from moving properly. This is called a tongue tie. Tongue tie may cause a problem with breastfeeding for some pēpi.

Tongue Tie

Heel prick test

The heel prick test is a blood test - it involves collecting a sample of blood from your baby's heel 48 hours after their birth.

Heel Prick Test For Newborn Babies

Hearing and vision checks

Your baby's eyes should be checked soon after birth. If you have concerns about your baby's vision or hearing at any time, take your baby for an assessment.

Hearing And Vision Checks For Babies

Vaccination

Vaccination on time is the most effective way to protect hapū māmā (pregnant women), pēpi and tamariki (children) from preventable disease.

Immunisation Overview

Rotavirus vaccination

Vaccination protects against rotavirus - a common tummy bug that pēpi and tamariki catch easily. Rotavirus causes vomiting and diarrhoea (runny, watery poo).

Rotavirus Immunisation

Whooping cough vaccination

Whooping cough can make pēpi very sick and some pēpi can die. Having whooping cough vaccination in pregnancy protects pēpi in their first weeks of life. Start vaccinating pēpi the day they turn 6 weeks old to keep protecting them.

Whooping Cough Immunisation

Jaundice

Mild jaundice is common in pēpi, but baby jaundice is not always normal. If your baby has yellow skin or eyes and pale poo or dark (yellow or brown) wee, your baby needs a special blood test. See a health professional or midwife as soon as possible.

Jaundice In Babies

Workstream Members

 

Name Role on Workstream Region
Claire Annan Project Coordinator Auckland | Te Toka Tumai
Malcolm Battin Chair Auckland | Te Toka Tumai
Ali Bigwood Member Central | Te Ikaroa
Anita Lala Member Midland | Te Manawa Taki
Bronwyn Dixon Member South Island | Te Waipounamu
Dan Riviere Member Central | Te Ikaroa
Danielle Deines Member South Island | Te Waipounamu
David Barker Member Northern | Te Tai Tokerau
Debbie O'Donoghue Member South Island | Te Waipounamu
Grace Dobbie Member Auckland | Te Toka Tumai
Helen Miller Member Central | Te Ikaroa
Jason Wister Member South Island | Te Waipounamu
Juliet Manning Member South Island | Te Waipounamu
Maria Saito-Benz  Member Central | Te Ikaroa
Mariam Buksh Member Auckland | Te Toka Tumai
Megan Ashton Member Auckland | Te Toka Tumai
Mike Myer Member Auckland | Te Toka Tumai
Miranda Bailey Member Midland | Te Manawa Taki
Paula Dellabarca Member Central | Te Ikaroa
Rosemary Escott Member Central | Te Ikaroa
Sarah Rusholme Member Central | Te Ikaroa

 

Workstream News and Updates