Tamariki and rangatahi health services — Otago and Southland

Ratoka Whakapuāwai Tamaiti, the Child development service is based in Southland Hospital in Invercargill. The Child Development Service is a team of allied health professionals who provide a full range of health and development services for tamariki (children) aged between 0 and 16 years. They provide assessment and follow-up services to tamariki with developmental or ongoing disability needs.

Dunedin and Southland hospitals have registered early learning centres connected to them that are staffed by qualified teachers known as hospital play specialists.

Dunedin and Southland Hospitals have specialist neonatal facilities to help newborns in Otago and Southland.

All pēpi are offered a free newborn hearing screen to identify and help treat moderate to profound hearing loss. The hearing check is completed between 0 days and 3 months.

Paediatric clinics offer care for tamariki and rangatahi up to 15 years old.

Making sure tamariki can hear and see well is critical to their ongoing development.