5 May 2011

New Zealand’s largest WellChild provider welcomes the Government’s announcement today of an additional $21.3 million over four years to support first time families with new babies.

“Plunket are delighted by the increase in funding for maternity and well child services,” says Plunket CEO Jenny Prince.

“We provide support for over 90 per cent of all newborn babies in New Zealand and have been advocating for many years for increased investment for the under fives. This additional funding for Well Child services provides for additional support to first time families during the first few months of life.”

“There are a complex range of contributing factors to the state of our children’s health and wellbeing. We need to concentrate effort on ensuring that families have the support they need to raise New Zealand’s future generations. Focusing on giving our children the best start in life is vital in helping us create a better society.

“Evidence tells us that poor childhood outcomes are related to poor outcomes in adulthood and therefore investment in the early years is essential. This funding is targeted in the right places and will see a better return on government spending,” she says.

“Plunket works with communities to help make them stronger which we feel is critically important to the welfare of our country.”

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For more information contact:

Nikki Hooper
External Communications Executive
021 405 842
Nikki.hooper@plunket.org.nz

About Plunket
For more than a century Plunket has been giving New Zealand parents the knowledge and support they need to nurture healthy, happy kiwi babies.

Plunket is partly funded through government contracts to provide services such as the Well Child contract with the Ministry of Health. Additional services, such as family centres, parenting education, parent groups and toy libraries are funded through a combination of support from businesses and through local fundraising.

Plunket services are available free to families in New Zealand with children aged 0 to 5. As registered nurses with a postgraduate qualification, Plunket nurses are able to offer high standards of expertise and a range of services to families.

Tags: funding well child government Jenny Prince 0 Comments 5 May 2011