Most of the Public Health Nurses have been deployed to support the Covid response throughout the Southern District until level four and or level three restrictions are lifted.

Kia ora koutou, na mihi nui koutou,

Most of the Public Health Nurses have been deployed to support the Covid response throughout the Southern District until level four and or level three restrictions are lifted.

Services cover as below

We still have a core team continuing to support and triage referrals to our service and follow up with current referrals and Before School Check follow-ups. 

Due to the prioritization of our work, it may not always be possible for your usual Public Health Nurse to respond to requests. We do have a team of very experienced nurses across the district who can respond to referrals or requests for information advice if your usual nurse is not available. In order to facilitate this young people, families, whanau with children, preschools and schools can send our service an email or referral and we will endeavour to provide prompt service. Referrals and emails can be sent through to: publichealthnursing@southerndhb.govt.nz

Outline of services as below

Public Health Nursing Service – District - child, youth and family health & wellbeing, school preschool visits, HPV school-based immunisation program, home visits, before school checks, additional school-based services, Puketai, Gateway, group homes and alternative education.

Note: all face to face visits except childhood immunisations/ Puketai are suspended at level 3 and 4 – all contacts will be virtual or by phone.

Services includes:

· Home visits, school & preschool visits, child and youth health assessments referrals, information advice, communicable disease advice health promotion and some education

· Additional school-based services decile 1- 5 high schools, colleges and alternative education year nine assessments and youth health referrals and coordinated care

· Self-referral youth health clinics in high school

· B4 school checks the 12th and final well child check inclusive of vision hearing screening

· Gateway assessments – Comprehensive child and youth health assessment as part of joined up education/Oranga Tamariki and health service partnership

· Puketai residential care facility for children and young persons in the care of Oranga Tamariki – Nurse on site

· Enhanced youth health clinics in rural areas – Provide sexual health and contractive services for young people aged up to 25 years inclusive of health and wellbeing

Alexandra / Cromwell clinics

Oamaru clinic

Balclutha clinic

Gore clinic

For the above services email all enquiries to: Publichealthnursing@southerndhb.govt.nz

Immunisation programs continue to be provided.

Outreach immunisation across the district

· Outreach Childhood immunisations continue for scheduled childhood vaccination, some additional priority groups

HPV school-based vaccination program – Otago only

· HPV programme round two is about to start in some areas in Otago. In September a separate letter will come out to participating schools if there are any disruptions to this program and this will also provide additional information in relation to young people who may have received a covid vaccination – any inquiries can be directed to Nicola.ellis@southerndhb.govt.nz

Supporting the Covid vaccination rollout

Covid Vaccination roll out contact as below (providers only)

· advice & support immunisation providers

· Central lakes: Meg Paulin 027 539 7889

· Otago: Helen Turner 027 600 4802

· Southland: Suzanne Knowler 027 5397888

· Email enquiries to: Publichealthnursing@southerndhb.govt.nz