Public Health Nurses Child Health Team

The Child Health Team works with children, young people and their families at education venues, homes and in the community. Within the team we have the following:
• Public Health Nurses
• Hearing Vision Technicians
• Ear Nurse Specialist
• Before School Check Coordinator
• Social Workers
• Health Promoters
• Kaiāwhina

Public Health Nurses
All education venues (Early Childhood Centres, Te Kohanga Reo, Pacific Language Nests, Primary, Intermediate and Secondary schools) have a designated Public Health Nurse who visits to deliver health services, advice and support to children, young people, their whānau and the community, including (but not limited to) immunisation, follow up of communicable disease and health promotion. Many secondary schools have a School Based Public Health Nurse who is based at the school, holds health clinics, and promotes student and staff well-being.

Vision Hearing Technicians
Mainly working in pre-school and school venues, Vision Hearing Technicians screen children for hearing loss and vision defects. They advise parents and caregivers about any issues and facilitate referrals to specialists for follow up care.

Ear Nurse Specialist
Provides a mobile clinic service to assess and treat children with ear problems. This service visits many pre-school venues and schools.

B4SC (Before School Check) Coordinator
Works closely with Hawke’s Bay Health PHO to provide quality B4SCs for all Hawke’s Bay four-year children.

Social Workers
In collaboration with eligible families, the Child Healthy Housing Programme Social Workers assess homes and recommend improvements to make the homes warmer and healthier, to prevent rheumatic fever and respiratory illnesses.

Health Promoters
Work alongside staff at all education venues and with community groups to actively promote the health, well-being and educational outcomes for children and their whānau.

Kaiāwhina
Working closely with all members of the Child Health Team, Kaiāwhina are involved in various programmes to support and promote whānau well-being.