PSNZ has submitted in opposition to the proposed funding cuts to the National Public Health Service’s Antenatal and Childhood Screening Team.
PSNZ is concerned about the proposed funding cuts to the National Public Health Service, which would result in significant staffing reductions to the Antenatal and Childhood Screening Team.
While the organisation supports the inclusion of the Antenatal and Childhood Screening Programme alongside other national screening initiatives, but the suggested budget reductions could jeopardise the success of New Zealand’s world-leading screening programme.
Impact on Child Health
The screening programme plays a vital role in detecting serious diseases early, significantly reducing preventable morbidity and mortality. PSNZ members are at the frontline of managing these conditions, and any reduction in the programme’s efficiency will:
- Compromise the health and wellbeing of pēpi, tamariki, and whānau.
- Increase the burden on paediatric healthcare professionals, who already face significant challenges in managing childhood conditions.
- Negate cost savings—while budget cuts may seem economical in the short term, reducing early detection will lead to higher long-term healthcare costs.
New Zealand’s hearing screening and antenatal Down syndrome screening programmes also rely on a coordinated, well-resourced team approach. Maintaining all three programmes requires strong collaboration with health experts to ensure quality and accessibility.
PSNZ Advocacy and Position
PSNZ stands with the National Metabolic Service in urging decision-makers to reconsider these proposed changes. The Society believes that downgrading this vital service is unjustifiable, both from a health and economic perspective.
"The screening programme was developed to prevent the devastating effects of serious diseases—an outcome that alone justifies its importance. Cutting funding would be a step backwards for child health in Aotearoa," says Dr Owen Sinclair, President of PSNZ.
PSNZ will continue to advocate for sustained funding and investment to ensure that New Zealand’s screening services remain world-class and continue to protect future generations of tamariki.