Media Release
18 October 2012

Royal NZ College of GPs endorses coordinated action for vulnerable children

The emphasis on information-sharing and coordinated action between government agencies in the White Paper on Vulnerable Children is a major step forward in the right direction, says Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners President Dr Harry Pert.

“GPs frequently raise concerns that communicating with bodies responsible for receiving and acting on information is difficult, with long delays and a lack of response being commonly identified issues.

“New Zealand’s children experience poorer outcomes compared to other countries and this is unacceptable. Addressing this situation is a matter of national significance and will require a strong, united approach from agencies, professionals and individuals,” says Dr Pert.

“In its submission on the White Paper, the College also urged that the Government address inequity as a matter of priority. Inequity is a core issue determining the vulnerability of many children and whānau. GPs frequently report that many children who do not access GP appointments are among the most vulnerable with socioeconomic disadvantage a major barrier to access. The College is developing a position paper setting out its priorities for action to address health inequity.

“The White Paper does not expressly acknowledge inequity as a major factor influencing child vulnerability. We hope the issue will be looked at as part of other work to address child poverty, in particular the Children’s Commissioner’s Expert Advisory Group on Solutions to Child Poverty and the Ministerial Committee on Poverty.”

The College endorses the Government’s decision not to legislate for mandatory reporting of child abuse.
“While views vary between GPs, and research on this subject suggests a range of outcomes, in our submission we pointed to the danger of mandatory reporting becoming the sole focus to address the issue of children in vulnerable circumstances.”

The College also approves of the broad range of initiatives announced in the White Paper that will raise expectations on agencies working with children, make it easier for the public to raise concerns, help professionals identify children at risk, improve coordination between public agencies and provide for an independent review of the existing Child, Youth and Family complaints processes.

“We note that all frontline public sector staff, including doctors, will be required by 2015 to undergo training to help them recognise the signs of child abuse and act to protect children. The College already supports this through providing specific vocational training for GPs in recognising and responding to significant abuse and neglect. Registrants without vocational training who work in general practice may not have this training.”

ENDS

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