Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee News & Events

Sue Matthews receives Queen's Birthday honours

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 08:26:00 +1200

Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee

The Health Quality & Safety Commission congratulates Sue Matthews on being made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to health, in the 2013 Queen's Birthday Honours.

Sue Matthews is a member of the Commission's Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee (CYRMC), and serves on a number of other health-related committees and boards, as well as being a nurse for Kaitiaki Nursing Services in the Bay of Plenty.

"Sue has held a number of health-related roles throughout her career, and has made a significant contribution to the CYMRC. This is a well-deserved honour, and we are pleased to have her continued input into the work of the Committee," says CYMRC Chair, Dr Nick Baker.

Sue Matthews started her nursing in Waikato in 1970, initially working in maternity and then for Plunket as a nurse, area manager, national clinical educator and education manager. Her role supported the development of education programmes for Plunket staff, iwi and pacific health providers.

At both local and national levels, Sue has strongly advocated to redress issues of equity, especially for those living in rural communities, including Māori.

Sue Matthews has also worked as a nursing and health lecturer, and programme leader, at the Waiariki Institute of Technology, where she remains a student nurse educator and a member of the advisory board.

Housing New Zealand project improves safety for children in driveways

Thu, 02 May 2013 16:31:00 +1200

Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee

In September 2011 the Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee (CYMRC) released a report examining deaths from low speed run overs and ways of preventing them. Committee Chair Dr Nick Baker says about five children die because of low speed run over in New Zealand each year – and most of these deaths happen on the driveways of their own home. The report, Low Speed Run Over Mortality, is available by clicking the link below.

Housing New Zealand began a multi-million dollar fencing and landscaping programme at thousands of properties with children, after figures revealing the familiar New Zealand post-war bungalow with a big lawn and a long driveway down the side – poses one of the greatest risks to small children of being run over by a reversing car. The CYMRC is delighted to see that Housing New Zealand is taking action along the lines in their report.

Read the full article on the Housing New Zealand project here.

CYMRC media release: Lives saved but more action needed to prevent infant and child deaths

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 09:39:00 +1300

Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee

The Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee (CYMRC) estimates nearly 3000 lives have been saved in the past 20 years because of efforts to prevent sudden unexpected death in infants (SUDI).

A dramatic reduction in SUDI deaths has reduced the annual death toll from 200 to 60, which CYMRC attributes to a highly successful ‘back to sleep’ campaign.

The Chair of CYMRC, Dr Nick Baker, says those numbers, added up over two decades, represent a significant number of people still alive who might otherwise have died.

He is heartened by that and by the latest figures from Statistics New Zealand which show infant deaths and the infant mortality rate were at record lows in 2012. The full Statistics New Zealand media release is available at http://www.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/population/births/BirthsAndDeaths_MRYeDec12.aspx.

However, he says the CYMRC’s latest special report, released today, shows more needs to be done to keep the most vulnerable members of New Zealand’s communities safe from harm. The report, Unintentional suffocation, foreign body inhalation and strangulation, is available on our website.

“There has been some fantastic work happening within communities and with health professionals and others in recent years, and this is having a positive impact on infant death rates,” he says. “At the same time, it’s clear that too many babies and young children are continuing to die from preventable harm, so the challenge to us all is to really take on board messages about the best ways to keep our children safe.”

The CYMRC report says death from traumatic asphyxia caused by suffocation is one of the three leading causes of unintentional injury deaths in New Zealand. The report looks at three main types of death: suffocation in the place of sleep, inhalation of food or foreign bodies, and external pressure on the neck or face.

Dr Baker says the report provides a tragic reminder of just how dangerous everyday objects such as curtain cords, ropes, pillows and mattresses can be.

“Things can change in an instant where babies and children are concerned,” he says. “It is not uncommon for deaths to occur when young ones are in unfamiliar surroundings, less actively supervised than usual, busy with other activities, or in the presence of intoxicated or distracted caregivers. This reinforces the importance of good routines and safety measures around children to ensure they are safe.”

The report says 50 of the 79 deaths it looked at arose from unintentional suffocation in bed, underlining the need to provide babies and young children with safe places to sleep.

“We were especially concerned to see that the rate of death in Maori and Pacific infants is significantly higher than for European infants,” says Dr Baker. “We’re not sure exactly why this is, although differences in the rate of smoking during pregnancy may be a factor. We know that infants exposed to cigarette smoke in pregnancy tend to be smaller and are more prone to suffocation.”

He says there are some very practical things people can do to help prevent SUDI, including putting babies to sleep on their backs, make sure their rooms are smokefree and not too hot, giving them plenty of room to breathe, and providing a sober caregiver.

The CYMRC report makes a number of recommendations which Dr Baker says support current government initiatives to improve support for vulnerable children, enhance smoking cessation programmes, put in place better systems to engage across the health system, increase the availability of safe sleeping spaces, encourage policies and staff training in district health boards (DHBs), and place greater emphasis on the safety of cots and bassinettes.

The CYMRC, which operates under the umbrella of the Health Quality & Safety Commission, reviews deaths of children and young people aged 28 days to 24 years, and provides advice on how to prevent further deaths.

Last year the Commission wrote to all DHBs asking them to prioritise the prevention of SUDI. In the report just released, CYMRC says it will convene a meeting of key agencies in product safety with a view to improving the flow of information about deaths and injuries, supporting enforcement of mandatory safety standards for cots and bassinettes, and providing cot safety information to both retailers and purchasers. It is also calling for better coordination across a range of government and other agencies and the inclusion of SUDI prevention messages in antenatal courses and other child injury prevention initiatives.

Dr Baker says information collected for the CYMRC report has already been used to influence new Ministry of Health choking guidelines, and is contributing to the development of training resources and safe-sleep programmes around New Zealand.

“Each number in this report represents a tragic loss for families and whanau around New Zealand, and we hope that our investigations of infant and child mortality, and our support for actions which aim to keep children safe, will help to prevent further deaths of these types,” he says.

Lives saved but more action needed to prevent infant and child deaths

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 09:38:00 +1300

Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee

The Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee (CYMRC) estimates nearly 3000 lives have been saved in the past 20 years because of efforts to prevent sudden unexpected death in infants (SUDI).

A dramatic reduction in SUDI deaths has reduced the annual death toll from 200 to 60, which CYMRC attributes to a highly successful ‘back to sleep’ campaign.

The Chair of CYMRC, Dr Nick Baker, says those numbers, added up over two decades, represent a significant number of people still alive who might otherwise have died.

Dr Baker says the report provides a tragic reminder of just how dangerous everyday objects such as curtain cords, ropes, pillows and mattresses can be.

The report says 50 of the 79 deaths it looked at arose from unintentional suffocation in bed, underlining the need to provide babies and young children with safe places to sleep.

New Year Honours for Anthea Simcock

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 08:18:00 +1300

Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee

The Health Quality & Safety Commission congratulates Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee (CYMRC) member Anthea Simcock who was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to child welfare in the 2013 New Year Honours List.

Mrs Simcock was appointed to the CYMRC in July 2010. Her work with children and in child welfare has spanned over 30 years and included roles as the founder and Chief Executive of child advocacy agency Child Matters, and as a teacher, social worker, child therapist and advocate.

Commission Chief Executive, Dr Janice Wilson says Mrs Simcock’s opinion is widely sought on areas of child welfare, and she is seen as an authority on the prevention of abuse and neglect of children.

“The CYRMC highly values Mrs Simcock’s input into its work to find ways to prevent deaths of children and young people, and will continue to work with her in the future to ensure that further improvements in child welfare are realised."

Mrs Simcock says that the work she does ensures the public is aware of the issues around child abuse, and how to prevent harm to children.

“I love that child welfare is part of national conversation so much more than it was 18 years ago and I love seeing the changes being made to protect children, and hearing from those we have worked with and for, who tell us what a difference Child Matters has made to their personal and professional lives.”

Wanganui Chronicle interviews expert on child abuse

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 08:44:00 +1300

Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee

In this article from the Wanganui Chronicle Dr David Montgomery talks about treating the root cause of child abuse. Dr Montgomery is the Chair of the Whanganui child and youth mortality review group.

Read the full article on the Wanganui Chronicle website here.

Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee poster competition

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 08:34:00 +1300

Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee

The Commission’s Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee held its annual conference in Wellington last week.

Prior to the conference, each local review group was asked to develop a poster on the theme “Good news, recent quality initiatives and on-going challenges in our region.”

There were three award categories – most informative, most creative and most inspiring presentation and poster.

Winners for each of the categories are outlined below.

Most informative poster: Tairawhiti DHB

Most creative poster: Waikato DHB

Most inspiring presentation and poster: Auckland DHB

International conference hears many sudden infant deaths preventable

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 12:10:00 +1300

Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee

New Zealand child mortality experts and international specialists exchanged knowledge and insights into sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) at a conference in the United States recently.

Ten experts from New Zealand attended the conference in Baltimore on stillbirth, SUDI and infant survival.

One of them, Dr Nick Baker – a community paediatrician and Chair of the Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee (CYMRC) – told the conference about the death by unintended suffocation of 50 New Zealand babies.

These included situations where a parent or sibling sleeping with an infant accidentally suffocated them after moving in sleep, and cases where babies became wedged in gaps or other places.

Dr Baker says many SUDI deaths are preventable.

“Parents and caregivers need to be certain nothing can happen during sleep that makes it hard for their baby to breathe,” he says. “This conference was an excellent opportunity to provide updates on New Zealand’s work to prevent infant death and to learn from what is happening elsewhere.”

New Zealand has one of the worst rates of SUDI in the world, with about 60 babies dying of SUDI each year. Babies in the first three months of life – and especially in their first month – are most at risk.

The CYMRC, which operates under the umbrella of the Health Quality & Safety Commission, reviews deaths of children and young people aged 28 days to 24 years and provides advice on how to prevent further deaths.

Professor Barry Taylor, Professor of Paediatrics and Child Health, and Director of the Mortality Review Data Group at the University of Otago, presented a paper on international comparisons of sudden infant death. He says another 48 babies would live to see their first birthday each year if New Zealand had the same infant death rate as the Netherlands.

Another presenter at the conference, Dr David Tipene-Leach, outlined research into the use of wahakura and pepi-pods, two infant sleeping spaces designed to be used in a shared bed.

“A major research group in England is now proposing that we should teach people how to share beds safely. Two New Zealand studies are investigating ways of doing this, and there was real interest at the conference in the use of the wahakura and pedi-pod,” says Dr Tipene-Leach.

Meanwhile, Stephanie Cowan from Change for our Children won recognition for her conference poster ‘womb for improvement’, which described an innovative approach to reduce smoking in South Auckland. The programme, Te Awatea, includes a large network of people trained as smokefree champions for unborn babies in their whanau and communities.

Professor Ed Mitchell Professor of Child Health Research, Paediatrics at the University of Auckland, who also attended the conference, says New Zealand led the world with its ‘back to sleep’ campaign in the early 1990s, based on research by himself and others. Their studies showed that putting babies to sleep on their backs decreased their risk of sudden death.

“The success of this campaign has been marked by 3000 babies in New Zealand living to have a first birthday who would otherwise have died,” says Professor Mitchell.

Alcohol Healthwatch Trust launches BABIES + BOOZE campaign

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 09:11:00 +1300

Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee

MEDIA RELEASE FROM THE ALCOHOL HEALTHWATCH TRUST

The risk to unborn babies from alcohol has been making headlines for decades but Kiwis don’t seem to be heeding the warnings. At least 50 percent of women think that drinking some alcohol during pregnancy is safe and 80 percent of teen pregnancies are alcohol exposed, according to New Zealand surveys.

Determined to do something about this, the Rotary Club of Parnell teamed up with two community organisations, Well Women’s & Family Trust and Alcohol Healthwatch Trust to turn this situation around.

"Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a hidden and very misunderstood disability and it can be difficult for young women to make the link between social drinking and future harm to their child," says Christine Rogan from Alcohol Healthwatch’s Fetal Alcohol Network, who worked on the project. "Not to drink during pregnancy is an important message that needs to spread far and wide," she says.

After consulting with communities and young people, the BABIES + BOOZE Youth Social Media Awareness Campaign was born. Youth were involved in the design and production of a social media resource, filming and performing in the videos. Their video material is accompanied on You-tube by discussion of the risk of drinking alcohol during pregnancy by Auckland Neonatologist Dr Simon Rowley as wells as poignant recollections of two birth mothers, whose drinking during pregnancy had an adverse effect on their children.

"There is still a long way to go to reduce the risk of FASD, but our hope is that this campaign will start to get the message across to the future parents of this country," says Ms Rogan.

Wallet-sized cards with key prevention messages and links to the You-Tube videos can be accessed from www.fan.org.nz.

The Campaign will be launched at the Ruapotaka Marae in Glen Innes Auckland 11.00am – 1.30pm on Thursday 18th October.

Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee calls for interagency approach on butane

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 14:07:00 +1200

Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee

The Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee (CYMRC) has repeated calls for an inter-agency approach to prevent volatile substance abuse (VSA)-related deaths, following a report released today by the chief coroner.

The report reviews the coroner’s findings relating to the deaths of young people by VSA, which includes the intentional inhalation of butane-based products.

It shows there have been 63 deaths relating to the inhalation of butane-based substances between 2000 and 2012. Of the 63 deaths, 55 were people aged 24 years or under, and 24 were aged 16 years or under. Maori had the highest number of deaths, with nearly half of the 63 people who died being of Maori ethnicity.

Dr Nick Baker, Chair of the CYMRC, says a coordinated approach across many sectors is now needed to lead the prevention of injury in our young people.

“Preventing these deaths requires work to reduce both the supply of and demand for these poisonous substances.

“This includes reducing sales and access to butane-based products, voluntary control of butane by retailers, educating providers of support services to young people, community education strategies, strengthening individual knowledge and skills among youth, and providing access to quality health care.”

Dr Baker says the report aligns with the CYMRC’s own work in this area.

“The CYMRC has been doing some work in the broader context of child and youth poisoning deaths, and will be releasing a report on unintended poisoning in the coming months. The coroner’s findings align with the preliminary findings in our report.”

The CYMRC operates under the umbrella of the Health Quality & Safety Commission, and reviews the deaths of children and young people.

Fire safety labels now compulsory for children's pyjamas

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 14:07:00 +1200

Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee

Article on fire safety warnings on children's nightwear, which are now compulsory after the death of one young boy and serious injuries to at least four others.

Read the full article here.

No helmet, no bike

Thu, 23 Aug 2012 09:38:00 +1200

Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee

NO helmet, no bike. This is the safety message Safekids New Zealand wants parents and caregivers to tell their bicycle-riding children. “Cycling is a healthy activity and is the first mode of transport for many Kiwi children,” said Dr. Nick Baker, Community Paediatrician and chair of the Child & Youth Mortality Review Committee.

“However, parents must take action to ensure safety comes first when their children hop on their bikes,” Dr. Baker said.

Safekids New Zealand reports that approximately 487 children are hospitalised and 2 children die from cycling-related injuries in New Zealand each year. “Internationally, approximately two thirds of hospital admissions among child cyclists are for head injuries, and three quarters of deaths among injured child cyclists are also from head injuries,” Dr. Baker added.

Research shows that helmet wearing was associated with:

a 69 percent reduction in the likelihood of head injury
a 69 percent reduction in the likelihood of brain injury and
a 74 percent reduction in the likelihood of severe brain injury.

Helmet wearing also reduces the likelihood of head injury by 69 percent in cyclists involved in crashes involving motor vehicles.

“The evidence is clear, in the event of a cycling fall or crash, helmets saves lives,” Dr. Baker said.

Be Safe, Be Smart, Be Seen!

Children’s cycling injuries can be prevented by using helmets, adult guidance and making sure kids have the right skills and gear. The Safekids Campaign is promoting the following messages to child cyclists and adult drivers.

Be Smart. Plan safe cycle routes with an adult, and take a cycle skills training course--the best riders are skilled riders.
Be Safe. Follow the law--No helmet, no bike!
Be Seen. Wear bright colours and use reflective gear.
For Drivers: Slow Down and Look Out For Kids.

New members appointed to the Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee

Mon, 20 Aug 2012 15:05:00 +1200

Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee

Three new appointments have been made to the Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee (CYMRC).

The new members bring considerable knowledge and experience to the Committee, which collects and reviews information on the deaths of children and young people with the aim of preventing future deaths.

Mr Tamati Cairns has an extensive history as a Māori advisor and kaumātua for a number of different organisations; Dr Terryann Clark is an expert in adolescent health, with a particular focus on Māori adolescent health; and Dr Stuart Dalziel is a specialist paediatrician with sub-specialty training in paediatric emergency medicine.

For more information about the committee go to About Us in the CYMRC section of the website.

SIDS prevention: 3000 lives saved but we can do better

Thu, 16 Aug 2012 12:29:00 +1200

Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee

This article, published in the New Zealand Medical Journal, looks at the fall in sudden infant deaths (SIDS) over the past two decades. The decline in SIDS cases has been attributed to a change in infant sleep position; from lying on the front, to the side and then to predominantly lying on the back. The authors estimate that this has saved over 3000 lives. However, they argue that further lives can be saved by focussing on the increased risks from bed sharing.

The article is written by Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee member, Edwin Mitchell and co-writer Peter Blair, and is available on the link below courtesy of the New Zealand Medical Journal.

SIDS prevention: 3000 lives saved but we can do better

Drop in teenage drink-drive convictions

Tue, 14 Aug 2012 14:39:00 +1200

Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee

The Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee (CYMRC) is delighted that figures show that there has been a reduction in teenage drink-drive convictions almost a year after the zero alcohol limit was brought in for the under-20s. The committee recommended a zero tolerance approach to alcohol in its special report on alcohol related deaths. The report found alcohol had been a factor in 31 percent of motor vehicle deaths of children and young people in New Zealand during 2007.

The zero alcohol limit for teen drivers was brought in on 7 August last year. There have been 3091 drink drive convictions for 15 to 19 year olds in the first nine months of the new law coming into force. This compares to 6414 in the 12 months before the law change.

An article on the topic can be found on the Stuff website.

Further information can be found in the CYMRC special report on alcohol related deaths below.

CYMRC chair, Dr Nick Baker, talks to Campbell Live about 'huffing'

Mon, 30 Jul 2012 08:43:00 +1200

Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee

Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee chair, Dr Nick Baker was interviewed by TVNZ's Campbell Live on 26 July about teenage deaths from huffing butane and the need for restricting sales of butane to prevent future deaths. The feature can be viewed below:

Campbell Live interview with Dr Nick Baker

CYMRC letter to Coroner Evans

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 11:58:00 +1200

Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee

In 2010, the Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee was asked by Coroner Garry Evans for its views on the adequacy of present state systems for the care and protection of children and suggestions about improvements. The Committee's response is attached below.

Letter to Coroner Evans

Tragic deaths show babies' fragility

Tue, 24 Jul 2012 12:54:00 +1200

Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee

A recent article about the tragic deaths of three infants highlights the importance of safe sleeping practices for babies. The article is available on the Scoop website Tragic deaths show babies’ fragility.

Commission writes to DHBs about SUDI prevention

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 08:17:00 +1200

Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee

The Health Quality & Safety Commission has written to district health boards asking them to prioritise the prevention of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI).

The Commission’s Chair, Professor Alan Merry, and the Chair of the Child & Youth Mortality Review Committee (CYMRC), Dr Nick Baker, say in the letter that 60 infants die of SUDI each year in New Zealand and many of the deaths are preventable.

“New Zealand has the highest rate of death from SUDI among industrialised countries, with 1.1 deaths per 1000 live births occurring here, while the rate for Maori is 2.3 deaths per 1000 live births.

“A significant number happen as a result of suffocation in the place of sleep. Having safe infant sleeping policies in place, coupled with the efforts underway to reduce maternal smoking, will help to prevent infant deaths.”

Professor Merry and Dr Baker say a number of DHBs have already introduced safe infant sleeping policies which aim to ensure:

staff who support families caring for babies receive mandatory training about SUDI prevention and ways of communicating risks to families
the modelling of safe sleeping practices for all infants within DHB facilities
safe sleeping arrangements are available for all infants after they are discharged home
families are educated about the hazards that arise in some sleeping situations
parents are advised about safe strategies for night feeds and settling of infants.

Professor Merry and Dr Baker thanked DHBs for the efforts they are already making to prevent SUDI.

The full text of their letter can be read here.

The Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee welcomes newborn enrolment policy

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 07:23:00 +1200

Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee

The Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee (CYMRC) welcomes the newborn enrolment policy announced by Health Minister Tony Ryall last week.

The new policy will mean babies will be registered with their general practitioner soon after birth. Currently there are few newborns enrolled at six weeks of age and less than half are registered with a doctor at 12 weeks of age.

Under the new policy, parents will be able to nominate a GP at the birthing unit, rather than waiting for the first doctor’s appointment. This will ensure continuity of care from the lead maternity carers to GPs, a move that the CYMRC recommended in its 2009 report on sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI).

CYMRC Chair, Dr Nick Baker says, “Newborn enrolment is a great tool which will connect babies to health care, help reduce the risks of SUDI, and secure high levels of timely immunisation coverage.”

New Zealand has the highest rate of deaths from SUDI among industrialised nations with 60 babies dying each year. Many of these babies die from suffocation in their place of sleep. Improved care during the first few weeks of life will help identify babies at risk and allow safe sleep practices to be put in place, ultimately preventing many unnecessary deaths.

More information on the CYMRC’s work including the committee’s report to the Minister of Health on SUDI can be found on the Health Quality & Safety Commission’s website.