Newsletter - April 2006
Hello and welcome to an update from the desk of the National
WellChild / Tamariki Ora coordinator.
It is count down time to the actual WellChild /Tamariki Ora
week and the start of our second quarterly themes
Attached should be the second of our quarterly information
packs around the next theme of immunisation - there are plenty
of topics within this theme for you to choose the one or ones
that are most applicable to your local area -
- the MeNZB programme as it draws to a close for the older
age group - it is still not too late to enrol them and don’t
forget the 4th doses for the littlies – Ministry flyers
and information should be in your pack - or contact them
on the ministry web-site - www.immunise.moh.govt.nz
- There is a measles outbreak in Fiji at present - see
how it might affect you by reading the media release
- Don’t forget it is 50 years since Polio was introduced
- see the IMAC information sheet if you want to do something
on post polio or want a reason to celebrate immunisations
- Also you may wish to promote and inform parents on the
schedule changes – see the IMAC site for more information
– www.immune.org.nz.
- Finally there may be local issues you want to raise for
example Pertussis or Hepatitis B - IMAC can always help
if you need specific information.
Also this quarter contains the traditional WellChild/Tamariki
Ora week - promote and celebrate the book in what ever way
is appropriate for your target audience - if you have ideas
as to how it might be improved now is an ideal time to let
me know to feedback to the Ministry .
Also an ideal time to promote the ready for school check -
See Pinnacle Health’s example attached/enclosed as a
great example of what one PHO has done - if you want more
information they would be happy to share their experiences
with you, contact details are in the article.
I hope some of the information and ideas will be of use to
you in your daily practice, and would love some feedback as
to what you are planning/doing/do.
- Mini grants
Please note that we did extend the deadline to April 3rd
- we will be processing the applications as quickly as we
can now but the funds will probably not be with all the
successful coalitions until probably June - please bear
with us - it is coming.
A reminder re. the rest of the year - We made an executive
decision based on some feedback that it would be a good idea
to have the 3rd theme for 2006 to be nutritional to tie in
with Breast feeding week - swapping it with the theme of skin
health - which will go to the 4th quarter and we will work
on issues such as skin hygiene (hand washing and impetigo
included) and healthy skin from sun exposure too.
Important Notice -
Balloons are now available in your local resource centres
if you would like some for your promotion,(we have been asked
to remind you to give advice re. not sharing spit when blowing
up balloons in light of Meningitis and the impending influenza
season!).
We also have the flags and banners in National Office available
for your event or your local shopping mall /town centre if
you can persuade the local council to let them put them up.
Another reminder re. the WellChild/Tamariki Ora logo and name
- we do actively encourage you to use this on your promotions
to help get a national awareness of the concept but please
do be responsible with this - I recently heard of an issue
regarding the distribution of one particular religious promotional
pamphlet under the WellChild banner - which was inappropriate
- please remember to check the content of any leaflet you
hand out - if in doubt check with us or the Ministry of Health
who hold the copy right for the logo.
Along that vein I am also mindful of the concern that some
health professionals have expressed re. sponsorship - I am
still looking into this as although we are also lobbying the
ministry for extra funds we need to be aware that at the end
of the day they do have a limited amount of health dollars
to share out.
I am hopeful that we can find a solution that will be acceptable
to everyone - if you have any ideas of possible appropriate
sponsors please let me know.
In the meanwhile have a happy and safe Easter and a good
WellChild/Tamariki Ora week.
Marguerite Dalton, WellChild /Tamariki Ora Week Coordinator.
April 2006
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