We are a dedicated team of registered nurses who work in partnership with families, schools, other health professionals and services involved in the care of children and families. We offer general health information, advice and support - including making healthy choices, with the focus on preventative healthcare. Referrals are accepted for preschool children to 18 years. We provide advice and guidance on a variety of issues including: Asthma, eczema - providing education and creating care plans Growth and development Health assessments Bedwetting Soiling Emotional health Behaviour and learning management Child protection Skin infections Dental Allergies Ear health Vision and hearing problems Family concerns Weight concerns Liaise and refer to other services appropriate to the children’s wellbeing School immunisation programme Rheumatic fever Who can contact us? School staff, students, parents, GP, support agencies. See referral form below Where can we meet? School, home, work, clinics, at a place of your choice. Public Health Nurse Referral Form (DOC, 69 KB)

Vision and Hearing Technicians are screeners who deliver a national screening service in preschools, early education centres, community clinics and client homes. Vision and Hearing Technicians undertake: Vision & hearing screening on 4 year olds as part of the B4 school check. Vision screening to all year 7 students and colour vision to year 7 boys. Follow-up screening and referrals to optometrists, ophthalmology, audiology and the Ear Nurse Specialist. Vision and hearing checks can be provided to other school aged children however, if there are concerns about their hearing and/or vision, then screening by a specialist is recommended.

Rotorua Only No appointment Required Immunisation for children 0-18 Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 09:00am to 3:00pm

Several of our Public Health Nurses are qualified to deliver neonatal BCG vaccinations and case manage TB. If your infant meets the Ministry of Health/IMAC criteria and you wish to have your baby vaccinated, your midwife will complete a referral on your behalf or you may self refer. Alternatively you may contact us on the number on the left of the page. Please send referrals to Lakes.kids@lakesdhb.govt.nz.

The B4 school check is a free check for four year olds. The check helps to make sure your child is healthy and can learn well at school. It is a chance to discuss your child's health and development with a nurse. The B4 school check is the final Well Child check. It is not designed to pick up every health problem your child might have, so if you have any concerns about your child at any time, talk to your family doctor. The checks are carried out by child health nurses. In the Lakes - Rotorua area, checks are delivered through Rotorua Plunket, Tipu Ora Tamariki Ora & Public Health B4 School Nurses. In the Lakes - Taupō, Turangi and Mangakino areas, the checks are delivered by practice nurses at your usual health centre. How does the B4 school check happen? The B4 school check usually takes about 45-60 minutes. Most of it will be done by a nurse with a parent or caregiver there because they know their child best. If the family or the nurse think the child has a possible problem or difficulty, the nurse will discuss this with the family and offer to refer them to other services that may help. The nurse can also help if the child has missed out on any immunisations.

Public Health Nurses run School Based Vaccination Programme for Year 7 and 8 students, educating and administering Boostrix (T’dap) and HPV Vaccine. Boostrix is offered to all Year 7 students protecting against Tetanus, Diphtheria and Whooping Cough. HPV (Gardasil) vaccine for Year 8 students. This is given as 2 immunisations spaced out over 6 months. This vaccine is offered to both girls and boys and protects against genital warts and 9 strains of cervical, genital and throat cancers. Please contact the Public Health Nurses for more information.

Our Ear Nurse Specialists provide treatment, information and support for children and young people and their whānau to address ear health concerns. Services are provided for children and young people up to the age of 18 and include: Assessment and ongoing monitoring of ear concerns (runny ears, glue ear, sore ears) Tympanometry (test of the eardrum) Ear wax removal (using microscope and suction) Ear canal cleaning (aural toileting using microscope and suction) Removal of foreign objects in the ear canal (cotton buds, beads) Parental education and support Links to other services

All babies are checked at birth to see that all is well. Some of your baby’s health checks are called ‘screening’. Newborn hearing screening is usually done before you and your baby go home from the hospital. If your baby is not born in a hospital or is not screened before you go home, newborn hearing screening will be offered at your local health clinic or hospital outpatients’ clinic. The screen is designed to pick up moderate to profound hearing loss. It will not necessarily pick up a mild hearing loss. If babies can’t hear, it’s hard for them to understand and communicate with you. If your baby does have a hearing loss, finding it early is good for their language, learning and social development. See pamphlet below for more information. Your baby's hearing screen (PDF, 579.1 KB)

Children's Eczema Clinic is provided at Children's Health Hub, Rotorua Clinic Hours Wednesday 9am - 2pm Eczema Atopic eczema (atopic dermatitis) is the most common form of eczema, a condition that causes the skin to become itchy, red, dry and cracked. Atopic eczema is more common in children, often developing before their first birthday. Eczema Clinic will provide: Assessment Education Management Action Plan Follow up Support Liaise with family GP. All clinics will be provided by Community Child Health Nurses, with paediatrician oversight. Referrals Referrals will be accepted from any health professional for children over 12 months to 12 years affected by eczema. Referrals will be selected according to clinical need. Referral form below. Eczema Clinic Referral Form (DOC, 217.5 KB)