Health Camps Set To Become More Effective

1 August 2001

Changes are being made to how health camps run to offer a more comprehensive service to the kids involved and to make a longer lasting improvement in their lives, the Ministry of Health says.

A contract being finalised this week with the Foundation for Child and Family Health and Development, who run children's health camps, means health camp services will be working more closely with the child, their family and their local school, Deputy Director General of Personal and Family Health David Lambie said in a statement today.

" We're confident the change will be positive for children and their families."

The Ministry expects no fewer children will use health camp services and it is maintaining the same level of funding for the service, although it is likely not so many children will stay at the camps.

"We're aiming to make lasting improvements for each child at home and at their local school."

More effort will be put into helping children and their families prepare for a health camp stay, children will have an individually tailored programme and there will be more follow-up and support for children afterwards in their own communities, Dr Lambie said.

"These changes follow international best practice and also make common sense. Children will benefit hugely from their parents having better support and from their improved participation and attendance at their local school."

"Many children will still stay at health camps for some weeks but only if this is the best way of dealing with their needs."

The Ministry of Health has been liaising with the Ministry of Education during the development of the contract as changes to children's health camps will affect Health Camp Schools.

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