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Babies to be enrolled with GP at birth

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Babies to be enrolled with GP at birth

3News NZ

Quicker enrollments will hopefully lead to on-time immunisations (file)

Quicker enrollments will hopefully lead to on-time immunisations (file)

Babies will be enrolled with a doctor within days of being born under a policy announced on Friday by Health Minister Tony Ryall.

He says at present hardly any are enrolled at six weeks and fewer than half are enrolled at 12 weeks.

"Many start their immunisations late, exposing them to preventable diseases like whooping cough and polio," he said.

"One of the biggest benefits of having a newborn enrolled with a GP straight away is that practices can remind parents when their baby is due for their first immunisation at six weeks."

From now, GPs will enter babies into their databases as soon as they are nominated by parents at hospital birthing units.

Mr Ryall says there's strong support for this across the public health service.

"The next challenge is to ensure all children are up to date with their immunisations at eight months old," he said.

"The new preventive health target that will see 95 per cent fully immunised by December 2014 started this month."

NZN

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Comments

9/07/2012 12:52:31 p.m.

DB wrote:

VICKI, I have no doubt that you are a responsible parent, like the majority of NZers. However, unfortunately common sense is not so common anymore with the part of our community who aren't responsible. If I have to enroll my child with a GP (which isn't exactly an imposition) for the betterment of our community then I shall. And if you continue to maintain your current point of view that's fine. Just don't be one of those people who cry out when a child in your community dies of a preventable disease because of neglectful parents. Because that is exactly what this is trying to prevent. Its called "social responsibility". Unfortunately our community cannot run in a positive fashion if there are a bunch of individuals in it with their attitude of "I'm ok so I don't care, and I don't want you telling me what to do".

8/07/2012 2:54:21 p.m.

vicki wrote:

I won't accept the government telling me how to manage my childrens well being and health. I am a responsible parent and I will make my own choices on vaccination and when my child requires health care thank you.

6/07/2012 2:19:51 p.m.

ivan wrote:

Mr Ryall try to get a GP in Palmerston North its next to impossible

6/07/2012 2:15:25 p.m.

Floral Paisley wrote:

It was all so much easier all round when GPs were able to deliver babies. Better for Mum and Baby. Better for the health system and tax payer.

6/07/2012 2:12:51 p.m.

wondering wrote:

I am wondering how many new mothers have the time, energy and strength to haul their babies, other small children and various accoutrement up to the doctors with in a week of giving birth , just to sign baby up. The risk and pain of infected ripped stitches, strained back and other undignified and painful ailments and wounds that afflict those whom have recently given birth, that women still die of in 3rd world countries , would render such a mission near impossible. Not to mention risk to health of baby. Babies have their earliest immunisations at the hospital or birthing centre with in supposedly 24 hours of birth. Or done by with a home visit nurse or mid wife. Are CYF going to whip the babies off all women who do not get their progeny off to the doctors in the next town quick enough... or just the low income ones.....Seriously life with a new baby is complicated enough with out old men deciding how to control your birth recovery process