Public Health Nurses (PHNs) are registered nurses who work with children aged 4 – 18, and their whānau, in school, home and community environments. They visit schools regularly, liaise between home and school, and work in partnership with families to improve and promote the health of children and young people. PHNs are available to discuss concerns about children’s health, growth and development including skin and ear infections, sore throats and rheumatic fever, asthma and eczema, behavioral difficulties, bedwetting and soiling, hearing and vision concerns, and nutrition and diet. PHNs also have training and expertise in adolescent health issues. Public Health Nurses offer school based immunisation programmes, including Boostrix (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis) boosters in year 7, and HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine to year 8 students.

The NZ Immunisation Schedule recommends vaccinations for students at 11 and 12 years of age. Auckland, Counties Manukau and Waitematā DHBs work in partnership with schools to offer these vaccines at school in year 7 and year 8. The SBIP is delivered by Public Health Nurses who are experienced in working with school-age children across a variety of health needs. Vaccines offered in schools are: Vaccine School Year Number of doses More information Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis (Boostrix) Year 7 1 dose This is a booster dose. Last given at 4 years old. Click here for information about Boostrix vaccine. Informative immunisation videos are available on this webpage: Immunisation - What it does and why you need it Boostrix Consent Form Information is also available in these languages (not consent form): - Chinese Simplified - Chinese Traditional - Cook Islands Māori - Hindi - Māori - Sāmoan - Tongan Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Gardasil 9 Year 8 2 doses (at least 5 month interval between doses) What is HPV? Click here for information about HPV vaccine (Gardasil 9) Informative immunisation videos are available on this webpage: Immunisation - What it does and why you need it HPV Consent Form Information is also available in these languages (not consent form): - Chinese Simplified - Chinese Traditional - Cook Islands Māori - Hindi - Māori - Sāmoan - Tongan School vaccinations are free. Students are given information and consent forms to take home. Caregivers are asked to read all the information provided, complete and sign the consent form and return it to their child’s school. Students who are absent on the day of the nurses’ visit will be offered a catch-up vaccination at a subsequent school visit. If the student is not vaccinated at school, caregivers will be notified to visit their enrolled primary care provider for this. All children under 18 years of age are eligible to receive NZ schedule vaccines, regardless of immigration or citizenship status. It is recommended for best protection that adolescents receive their vaccinations on time. Caregivers who choose to wait until their child is older will need to arrange for vaccination at their enrolled primary care provider. Further information about vaccine-preventable diseases and the benefits/risks of immunisation can be found at this website: The Immunisation Advisory Centre. Distance education/home schooled students: Students who are enrolled in distance education or who are home schooled are advised to attend their enrolled primary care provider for free age-appropriate vaccinations. For more information about the Auckland Region SBIP contact your local Public Health Nurse Unit: Starship Community Health Auckland DHB (09) 639 0200 Kidz First Public Health Nurses Counties Manukau DHB (09) 259 3851 Child & Family Public Health Nurses Waitematā DHB (09) 486 8996 (North) (09) 839 0000 (West) Related links: Ministry of Health NZ Immunisation Schedule HPV Disease and Immunisation Aotearoa Immunisation Register (AIR) Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring Boostrix Consent Form (PDF, 2.9 MB) HPV Consent Form (PDF, 3.9 MB)

The Medical Officer is a general Medical Practitioner with a focus on child & adolescent health. The Medical Officer provides a clinical oversight for the service, including organising and authorising standing orders.

Vision Hearing Technicians provide skilled screening for children and adolescents in pre-schools, schools, clinics and home settings. They conduct the hearing and vision element of the before school checks, and an additional screening assessment of vision in early adolescence. Vision and Hearing technicians respond to referrals where defects are suspected.

Ear Nurses are registered nurses with a community health background, who have undertaken training and developed expertise in the care of children with middle ear problems. Ear Nurses work with ear microscopes, suction and tympanometers. Who is the clinic for: Children and young people between 3 months and 18 years of age, or up to 21 years if the child has special needs and is still at school. What conditions are seen: Impacted wax (from 1 year of age) Discharging ear where there is no pain or pyrexia Children who have failed VHT (vision and hearing technician) screening and/or have suspected hearing loss Foreign body in the ear (may require further referral to Starship or ORL) Children who wear hearing aids Children with previous history of otitis media with effusion, or grommet insertion Acute ear pain or acute ear infections should be managed by primary care, as this is not an acute service. What services do Ear Nurses provide: Ear health assessment Suction to remove impacted wax, and aural toilet Health education Referral of children to Ear, Nose and Throat surgeons, audiologists, speech language therapists and other professionals for further assessment if necessary Placement of children needing grommet surgery directly onto surgical waiting lists Clinics are based in Waitakere, North Shore, Hibiscus Coast, Warkworth, and Wellsford. Referrals are made by e-referrals from GPs. Relevant medical information supporting referrals would be helpful.

Community Health Assistants are multi-skilled, providing support and assistance to the Child & Family Team. The diverse role of the Community Health Assistant includes: assisting other Child & Family staff in their roles, i.e. immunisation programmes, health promotion provision of clerical expertise health resource co-ordination swabbing children who present with a sore throat to prevent rheumatic fever providing support such as transport for children, adolescents and their families to health services and clinics

Child Health Social Workers provide a consistent, comprehensive approach to support the well-being and protection of children and young people who may be at risk. They accept referrals for children and young people who may potentially be at risk of neglect/abuse, behavioral concerns, or family/environmental issues which impact upon children and young people. Also offered: Home/school visiting and liaison – working in partnership with families/whanau or caregivers Support and advocacy for children and young people’s psycho-social needs Assessment, intervention, and referral to appropriate services, as required Assessment of risk/signs of safety for children and young people Consultancy on educational/community development programmes to schools, agencies, health professionals and community groups. Referrals are accepted on the basis that parents/caregivers have given consent. NB: Child Health Social Workers do not have statutory authority and will refer high-risk cases to Child, Youth and Family.