Data released by Te Whatu Ora last week revealed an increase in the number of tamariki aged 0 - 4 years old being hospitalised with potentially preventable conditions.

Te Whatu Ora’s Clinical Performance Metrics revealed the rate of what is known as ‘Ambulatory Sensitive Hospitalisations’ for tamariki had increased for all districts across the country, apart from Tairawhiti, for the year ending March 2023.

This concerning increase closely reflects the alarming statistics highlighted in Cure Kids' recent report on the State of Child Health in Aotearoa New Zealand. The report identified an inequitable and worsening burden of four diseases affecting children: respiratory conditions, rheumatic fever and heart disease, mental health, and skin conditions. Among these, hospital admission rates have remained unacceptably high for over two decades, and the burden of disease is inequitable.

Cure Kids CEO, Frances Soutter says it's concerning to see a rise in the number of children being hospitalised with conditions that are potentially preventable, if we take the right approach.

“To reverse these worrying trends, we must make deliberate and collaborative efforts. Solving these challenges won't be solely achieved in the emergency department (ED) but will require targeted investment and intentional action.

“With public funding for health so stretched, solving these acute challenges needs to start much earlier, with health research and also government collaboration with organisations like Cure Kids, who already have work underway to improve the health of New Zealand children, and ultimately prevent the need for so many families to resort to our EDs,” says Soutter.

Cure Kids’ State of Health Report showed respiratory conditions are responsible for about a third of all acute hospitalisations for children in Aotearoa New Zealand. Meanwhile, hospitalisations for young people with serious mental health concerns have almost doubled over the past two decades.

Soutter says Cure Kids is dedicated to investing in research that addresses the big questions preventing children from living their best lives.

“We welcome a collaborative approach with the government to work towards lasting solutions.”

To read the full report from Te Whatu Ora, head to https://www.tewhatuora.govt.nz/publications/clinical-performance-report/