COVID VACCINE
FEBRUARY 2022
If you are pregnant, aged 18 years and older, it is recommended you receive a booster of the Pfizer vaccine to help protect you aIf you are pregnant, aged 18 years and older, it is recommended you receive a booster of the Pfizer vaccine to help protect you and your baby against the effects of COVID-19. The booster can be given at any stage of pregnancy. From 4 February 2022, your can receive your booster dose at least 3 months after your second dose.
eceive your booster dose at least 3 months after your second dose. You should discuss the timing otr https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/health-a-z/c/covid-19-and-pregnancy/
RECOMMENDATION AND INFORMATION
AUGUST 2021
It is recommended that pregnant women/people are routinely offered the COVID-19 vaccine (Comirnaty) at any stage of pregnancy.
This recommendation aligns with those in many other countries, including the U.K., the U.S., Australia and Israel.
Internationally, many people have been given this vaccine while pregnant and large-scale surveillance data indicate that there are no safety concerns with administering this COVID-19 vaccine at any stage of pregnancy.
Vaccinating during pregnancy may also offer temporary protection for newborns across the placenta and in breast milk via passive immunity through the transfer of antibody.
https://ranzcog.edu.au/statements-guidelines/covid-19-statement/covid-19-vaccination-information
https://www.midwife.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/COVID-19-vaccination-pregnancy-lactation-_revised_20210610-1.pdf
www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-health-advice-public/about-covid-19/covid-19-about-delta-variant
28th March 2020
SCL ROOMS
Most centres closed with the remaining on severely restricted locations and hours
Essential Testing ONLY
COURTENAY PLACE
Level 2, Symes de Silva Building, 97 Courtenay Place, Wellington
***(Last 10 minutes of every day is reserved for drop off and urgent samples only)
Mon – Fri:
7.30am – 12:30pm***
NEWTOWN
74 Riddiford Street,
Newtown
***(Last 10 minutes of every day is reserved for drop off and urgent samples only
Mon – Fri: CLOSED
Saturday 9:00am - 10:50am***
PORIRUA
6 Hartham Place South
***(Last 10 minutes of every day is reserved for drop off and urgent samples only)
Mon – Fri: 7:300m – 4:20pm***
Saturday: 9.00am – 10:50am***
LOWER HUTT
Corner of Raroa Road and Cornwall Street
17 Raroa Road
***(Last 10 minutes of every day is reserved for drop off and urgent samples only)
Mon – Fri: 8.00am – 4.20pm***
Saturday: 9.00am – 10:50am***
27th March 2020
Capital & Coast District Health Board (CCDHB)
Wellington Hospital
Access to all CCDHB facilities is now heavily restricted. To keep everyone safe, please don’t come to our hospitals unless you really need to.
You will not be allowed to enter unless you are:
- A nominated person supporting a terminally ill patient through their end of life care
- A parent/guardian who is supporting a child
- The chosen support person of a woman who is giving birth. This does not apply to the woman’s postnatal stay however, and no visitors will be permitted during this stage of the woman’s care
- In exceptional circumstances other support people may be granted access – our clinical teams will decide if this is appropriate.
Anyone entering our facilities will be assessed at the front door and their details will be registered.
Thanks to you all for your support at this time.
25th March 2020
Our Pharmacists are under enormous pressure in responding to the requirements of COVID-19 and are needing to protect themselves at the same time as assisting patients in dispensing their medicines. It would be extremely helpful if you could encourage midwives to fax prescriptions or send them through NZePS to the pharmacy desired by the patient.
Pharmacists have told us that it would be desirable for those collecting prescriptions to contact the pharmacy first to ensure their medicines are ready, before presenting in person.
Many pharmacies now have processes in place restricting physical access to premises to ensure they can continue to provide services to the public throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
25th March 2020
Wellington Neonatal Trust
Electric Breast Pumps for Sale
Due to the nationwide lockdown, The Neonatal Trust Wellington Office inside Wellington Hospital is now closed until further notice.
For any customer who needs to purchase an electric hospital grade breast pump during this time, we are selling them on-line and they will be couriered from our New Zealand suppliers direct to your home address within 1-2 days.
The pumps we are selling are:
Medela Swing Flex Single Electric Pump - $259.00
Medela Swing Maxi Flex Double Electric Pump - $399.00
Unimom Forte Double Electric Pump $295.00
(there will be an additional freight charge depending on what part of New Zealand you live in).
To purchase a breast pump please contact us at:
[email protected] or Ph 027 4414145
We are able to order parts and other models of breast pumps such as the Freestyle, so please just let us know what you are after.
24th March 2020
Source : NZ College of MidwivesCOVID-19 risk reduction during midwifery care: 24 March 2020 (update 25.3.20)
This information is subject to change according to Ministry of Health updates.
Planning midwifery care for ALERT LEVEL 4
The Ministry of Health has confirmed that midwifery care in both the community and hospital are Essential Services.
This means that, at Alert Level 4, midwives can continue to provide maternity care.
Alert level 4 requires women and their families to stay at home as a way to ensure population-level physical distancing – unless they require an essential service. The Ministry of Health’s advice is that where midwives determine that a woman requires a physical assessment this can be carried out either in the woman’s home or at the midwife’s clinic. Please see advice on antenatal/postnatal face-to-face visits below.
For the purpose of this advice, Self-isolation is different from Alert Level 4 physical distancing. Self-isolation means the woman has a risk factor for COVID- 19: The Ministry of Health definition of who should self-isolate is currently as follows:
Community midwives will need to adapt their care provision to minimise physical contact time. This means undertaking consultations virtually or by telephone where possible, using their clinical judgement about when women need a physical assessment, and keeping the physical assessment as short as possible, no more than 15 minutes. The midwife should identify if there are any clinical issues by phone that may require further investigation prior to physical assessment. LMC midwives continue to be clinically responsible for the maternity care co-ordination and provision for the women in their caseload.
Midwives must document their clinical decision-making, their actions, advice and appointments with women, both when conducted remotely and in person.
- If you arrived in New Zealand from any country in the last 14 days, you should self-isolate for 14 days from the date you departed the last country you visited. If you arrived more than 14 days ago, you do not need to self-isolate.
- If you have been in close contact (see below) with someone confirmed with COVID-19, you should self-isolate for 14 days from the date of contact.
A ‘Close contact’ is currently defined as any person with the following exposure to a confirmed or probable case during the case’s infectious period, without appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE): - direct contact with the body fluids or the laboratory specimens of a case
- presence in the same room in a health care setting when an aerosol-generating procedure is undertaken on a case
- living in the same household or household-like setting (eg, shared section of in a hostel) with a case
- face-to-face contact in any setting within two metres of a case for 15 minutes or more
- having been in a closed environment (e.g. a classroom, hospital waiting room, or conveyance other than aircraft) within 2 metres of a case for 15 minutes or
more - having been seated on an aircraft within two metres of a case (for economy class this would mean 2 seats in any direction including seats across the aisle,
other classes would require further assessment) - aircraft crew exposed to a case (a risk assessment conducted by the airline is required to identify which crew should be managed as close contacts)
Prior to any face-to-face contact with women, in every case:
Screen women for COVID-19 risk before any physical contact – phone ahead of the appointment. If you can’t get in touch, screen the woman when the she
arrives, before the she enters your clinic or before you enter her home.
The 3 Questions
1) Do you have a fever or cough, or shortness of breath, or a sore throat?
2) Have you had overseas travel in the last 14 days?
3) Have you had contact with a suspected or confirmed or probable COVID-19 in the last 14 days?
If answer is YES to any of the questions
Advise woman to remain at home and to contact Healthline 0800 358 5453 or their GP for further advice re self-isolation and/or COVID-19 testing. If she has come to clinic, ask her to leave and call Healthline or their GP. The woman informs the midwife of Healthline’s advice.
If the woman does not follow up with advice from her midwife to call Healthline or their GP, the midwife could call the woman’s GP and/or the DHB to seek advice on whether the woman should be tested.
During all face-to-face midwifery care, practise:
Frequent and scrupulous hand hygiene: soap and water where possible, hand sanitiser (min 60% alcohol) if soap and water not available. Take your own towel
and soap to visits.
o Hand washing/sanitising after physical touch (hands-on assessment e.g. BP, palpation) and on leaving the home or when client leaves clinico Reiterate to woman about hygiene measures- social distancing (2m or more, physical touch only as necessary)
- cough and sneeze etiquette
- keep the clinic visit short. You may want to conduct your conversation aspect of the visit by phone first, then only do the physical assessment in person. Physical
assessment should be no more than 15 minutes. - Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) recommendations are in the Ministry guideline for community-based midwifery care: https://www.health.govt.nz/our- work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-novel-coronavirus-information-specific-audiences/covid-19-novel-coronavirus-resources- health-professionals (scroll down to Maternity)
- Clean midwifery equipment between uses
Always wear disposable gloves when cleaning. When finished, place used gloves in a rubbish bin. Wash your hands immediately after handling these items.
376 Manchester Street / PO Box 21106 Edgeware Christchurch / Telephone (03) 377 2732 / Facsimile (03) 377 5662 / Email [email protected]
o Clinic: no PPE required as women can only attend if they are not in self-isolation for COVID-19 risk factors
o Home: see table 1 below.
o Where PPE is required, the DHB supplies this for the LMC midwife and a surgical mask for the woman, as well as training on correct application and
removal of PPE.
If women who are in self isolation for COVID-19 risk factors (as opposed to Alert 4 social distancing) require clinically necessary visits, they will need to occur at
home.
Midwife to liaise with DHB maternity services when a woman is in self-isolation (whether or not confirmed COVID-19 positive). Community-based midwifery care remains the responsibility of the LMC midwife.
Update 25.3.20. The Ministry of Health has advised the College that midwives are not expected to do any visit that requires PPE (according to the Ministry’s advice) if they cannot access PPE by the DHB. If PPE is unobtainable, care may need to be provided in a DHB facility where PPE is available.
376 Manchester Street / PO Box 21106 Edgeware Christchurch / Telephone (03) 377 2732 / Facsimile (03) 377 5662 / Email [email protected]
Antenatal and postnatal appointments -
At Alert Level 4 essential services are operating. The midwife makes a clinical decision about what constitutes essential care for the women in her caseload, according to their individual circumstances and maternity related/obstetric factors that influence their pregnancies. Referrals to DHBs for specialist consultations continue to occur as per each DHB’s processes.
Where face-to-face contact is not clinically necessary, virtual or phone consultations are recommended to continue the woman’s midwifery care conversations. This may not be feasible for women who do not have phone access and for women with limited English language. Telephone interpreting is available via the MMPO for all College members. Contact MMPO for further advice or discuss with DHB.
PLEASE FAMILIARISE YOURSELF WITH THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH’S GUIDANCE:
https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-novel-coronavirus-information-specific-audiences/covid-19- novel-coronavirus-resources-health-professionals
Cleaning clinic rooms and equipment between clients
After the client has left, carry out a thorough clean of the room:
Ensure PPE is disposed of safely and appropriately in a closed Biohazard bin/bag.
The CDC provides some useful information on cleaning and the difference between cleaning and disinfecting in the context of COVID-19: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/cleaning-disinfection.html#routine-cleaningClean all ‘high-touch’ surfaces such as desks, counters, table tops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards and bedside tables every day with antiseptic wipes or disinfectant, including bleach solutions.
tient Informen’s Health Service
23rd March 2020
What effect does COVID-19 have on pregnant women?
Generally pregnant women do not appear to be more severely unwell than the general population. It is expected that the majority of pregnant women will experience only mild or moderate cold/flu-like symptoms.
If you are pregnant, you are more vulnerable to getting infections than a woman who is not pregnant. If you have an underlying condition, you may be more unwell if you have COVID-19.
If you feel your symptoms are worsening or not getting better, this may be a sign you are developing a more significant chest infection and you should contact your LMC, GP or Healthline on 0800 359 5453 for further information or advice.
What effect will COVID-19 have on my baby if I am diagnosed with the infection?As this is a new virus we are just beginning to learn about it. There is no evidence to suggest an increased risk of miscarriage or fetal malformation.
There is also no evidence that the virus can pass to your developing baby while you are pregnant or giving birth.
Some babies born to women with symptoms of coronavirus in China have been born prematurely. It is unclear whether COVID-19 caused this or the doctors made the decision for the baby to be born early because the woman was unwell. As we learn about the risk of preterm birth and COVID-19 infection, we will update this information.
Should I attend my antenatal
appointments?
Antenatal appointments may be done differently to usual. Some appointments may also be conducted on the telephone or using videoconferencing. Your midwife or antenatal clinic will contact you.
If you have a cough, sore throat, fever, short of breath or you have been told to self-isolate, you should postpone routine visits until after the isolation is over. Contact your midwife to inform them.
What should I do if I think I may have
COVID-19 or been exposed?
Ring Healthline on 0800 359 5453 and you will be given instructions.
What support can I have?
We ask that visitors stay away from the Delivery Suite apart from a designated support person.
We ask that birth support is limited to one well person as nominated by you. Your birth support person will also be asked a number of screening questions. Unfortunately there can be no swapping out with other people during the stay.
The designated support person will not be able to stay postnatally while the DHB is in level 3 or 4 in line with the pandemic plan.
Exceptional cases may be discussed with the ACMM.
What happens if I am suspected of or have
confirmed COVID-19 infection and I go into
labour?
Please call your LMC and also the Delivery Suite at Wellington Hospital so that, we can make preparations for you.
You should stay at home for as long as possible, but attend when in active labour so we can monitor your baby and your oxygen levels can be monitored hourly.
There is no evidence that you cannot give birth vaginally or that you would be safer having a caesarean birth so we will attempt to follow your birth plan as closely as possible. However there may be unavoidable delays due to having to use protective equipment even in an emergency situation.
Will I be able to stay with my baby and breastfeed if I have suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection?
Yes. If that is your choice and provided your baby is well and does not require care in the neonatal unit.
There is no evidence that the virus can be carried in breastmilk. However the main risk of breastfeeding is close contact which may lead to infection of your baby.
If you choose to breastfeed your baby, the following precautions are recommended:
- Wash your hands before touching your baby and breastfeeding equipment
- Try to avoid coughing or sneezing on your baby while breastfeeding
- Consider wearing a face mask while breastfeeding
- Consider asking someone who is well to feed your expressed breast milk to your baby
What will happen after my baby is born?
If you and your baby are well then it would be in your best interest to go home with the support of your midwife.
However if you or baby are unwell you will be cared for as needed.
Where do I get more information?
COVID-19 Healthline: 0800 359 5453
https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/disease- and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus
COVID-19 Healthline 0800 359 5453
https://www.health.govt.nz/our- work/disease-and-conditions/covid- 19-novel-coronavirus
18th March 2020
Influenza start date and resources
This year's influenza immunisation programme will be starting early for eligible patients as they are at greatest risk of serious illness from influenza. Healthcare workers (including aged care facility staff) are also able to be vaccinated early. Funded vaccination can begin, and claims will be accepted, from 18 March 2020. Afluria Quad, the funded vaccine for adults and children 3 years and over, is now available and distribution has begun. Eligible patients include:
People aged 65 and over, pregnant women, people with certain chronic conditions and young children with a history of severe respiratory illness are at greatest risk of serious illness from influenza this winter. This group should get vaccinated as the highest priority as soon as vaccines are delivered to practices this year.
Healthcare workers are also a priority for vaccination.
People who are not eligible for free vaccination are asked to wait until 13 April 2020 to get vaccinated.
We ask that providers start to make appointments for patients eligible to receive the funded vaccinations from 18 March 2020 and through into early April. DHBs and other employers of healthcare workers should focus on active promotion of staff influenza vaccination programmes.
Influenza vaccine does not protect against COVID-19, however it will help prevent a serious illness that causes hundreds of deaths each winter in New Zealand.
We are aware the sector was expecting the release of influenza vaccines on 1 April, however with COVID-19 management a pressing concern, starting funded vaccination early will maximise the numbers of eligible patients and healthcare workers getting vaccinated. We appreciate that this is a load on general practice at a time when you are already planning your pandemic response, and we appreciate your efforts.
Peak influenza season does not normally arrive until late May or early June. More than 400,000 extra influenza vaccines are being supplied to New Zealand over the amount that were used in 2019, to reflect public interest and a likely increase in demand in light of COVID-19.
The paediatric dose of Afluria Quad for children under 3 years ie 6 to 35 months is expected to be available from 1 April 2020. Please reserve this for eligible children aged 6 to 35 months old.
15th March 2020
COVID-19 - what we're doing to keep you safe
Amid the current outbreak of COVID-19, we are writing to you with an update on what we’re doing to prioritise your health and safety whilst under our midwifery care.
We are being guided by information from the Ministry of Health, NZ College of Midwives and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetrics and Gynaecologists.
As circumstances continue to develop we will continue to update our policies and you.
What we are doing:
- Continuing with excellent hand hygiene practices.
- Putting extra cleaning measures into practice between visits.
- Not coming to work if we are unwell.
- For now, we have removed toys and magazines from the waiting room. If you have children with
you please consider bringing something for them.
We ask that you:
- Postpone your appointment if you or people in close contact with you have recently returned from overseas.
- Postpone your appointment if you are unwell. Call us to discuss your situation so we can make a plan about when we see you next.
- Limit numbers through the clinic, by only bringing one support person with you (your children are not included in this number). However, please don’t bring sick children with you to clinic.
- We appreciate this may be a stressful time for you and your family.
For COVID-19 health advice and information, contact the Healthline team (for free) on 0800 358 5453
Of course feel free to call your midwife for individualised pregnancy related advice or if you have any concerns about your pregnancy or baby.
COVID-19 (novel coronavirus): Update for Midwives 3 March 2020
The College recommends that community midwives advise their clients the following:
Any woman or household member who has both respiratory illness symptoms AND has returned from overseas travel within the last 14 days should phone her midwife to let her know before she attends a scheduled midwifery appointment.
Midwives should ask these women to contact Healthline on 0800 358 5453 for advice and report the advice back to her. The decision can then be made about whether to proceed with the appointment or to defer to a later date.
Women or household members who have returned from mainland China, Iran, northern Italy or the Republic of Korea in the last 14 days should self-isolate for 14 days from the date of departure, whether or not they have respiratory symptoms. These people should register with Healthline and advise their midwife.
Women or household members who have been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 should register with Healthline and self-isolate for 14 days from the date of close contact. They should advise their midwife.
The Ministry of Health has updated its advice to health professionals in its document, Interim Advice for Health Professionals: COVID-19 - 3 March 2020. The information that is directly relevant to midwives in both community and hospital practice has been reproduced here.
This is an evolving situation and midwives are advised to check the Ministry of Health website for the most up-to-date information: https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases- and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus
Background
Coronaviruses are a large and diverse family of viruses which include some known to cause illness in animals and humans, including the common cold, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS).
A novel coronavirus currently called SARS-CoV-2 caused a cluster of viral respiratory illness (COVID-19) in Wuhan that had not previously been detected in humans or animals.
The number of detected cases due to COVID-19 has rapidly increased in Wuhan, but elsewhere in China the increase has been slower. Individual cases have been detected in other countries, with a number of countries now reporting local transmission. A large outbreak also occurred on a cruise ship. The virus can be spread through person-to-person contact.
The clinical signs and symptoms of COVID-19 infection that have been reported range from non-specific respiratory symptoms such as fever and cough, to shortness of breath and symptoms of pneumonia and severe acute respiratory infection. Reports suggest that most cases have mild illness, with about 20 percent having more severe illness requiring hospitalisation (mainly due to pneumonia). The virus has an approximately two percent fatality rate with most of those who have died from the virus to date suffering from pre- existing health problems.
Spread of infection
The parameters below are provisional estimates based on currently available data.
Incubation period
Provisionally, the incubation period is considered to be from 1-14 days (commonly 3 to 7 days).
Mode of transmission
Transmission is considered to occur primarily through respiratory droplets and secretions. Transmission is likely to occur through virus contact with respiratory mucosa or conjunctivae, either by direct exposure or by transfer on hands from contaminated fomites. The current evidence does not support airborne transmission, except during aerosol-generating procedures which include intubation, suctioning, bronchoscopy, tracheostomy, cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Period of communicability
Provisionally, the period of communicability is considered to commence 48 hours before onset of symptoms and continue until the case is symptom free for 48 hours
Minimum precautions to reduce the general risk of transmission of acute respiratory infections
- Avoid close contact with people suffering from any acute respiratory infection.
- Frequent hand-washing and drying (or hand sanitiser), especially after direct contact
with ill people or their environment. - Keep hands away from face (eyes, nose and mouth).
- Everyone should practice cough etiquette (maintain distance, cover coughs and
sneezes with elbow, disposable tissues or clothing and wash and dry hands). - People with acute respiratory symptoms should stay home if unwell.
- Adhere to standard infection prevention and control practices in primary health care. All patients with respiratory infection and recent overseas travel history should be provided with a surgical mask upon entry to the facility. For suspect cases of COVID- 19 infection, include contact and droplet precautions, such as personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Aerosol-generating procedures1 should be avoided in primary health care.Infection prevention and control (IPC)
Basic hygiene measures (as outlined above) are the most important way to stop the spread of infections, including COVID-19.
In a health care setting, in addition to basic hygiene measures, standard precautions should apply for all patients.
As soon as a case of COVID-19 infection is suspected, additional precautions (droplet and contact) should be immediately implemented, with airborne precautions when aerosolized respiratory secretion are generated from procedures like intubation, suctioning, bronchoscopy, tracheostomy, cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Special situations: Health care worker close contacts
Health care worker close contacts (ie, persons exposed while unprotected, as described in Contact tracing and management) should be advised not to undertake work in a health care setting for 14 days following last possible contact with the confirmed case. They should also be advised to remain in self-quarantine for 14 days following last contact with the case.
Exposed health care workers who are DHB employees should discuss with the DHB infection prevention and control and/or occupational health teams.
Self-quarantine of health care workers should be managed the same way as close contacts.
Management of travellers
All travellers arriving in New Zealand from Category 1 countries should be registered with Healthline, be advised of COVID-19 symptoms and self-isolate for 14 days following departure from the Category 12 country.
Guidance on self-isolation can be found at health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and- conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-novel-coronavirus-self-isolation
People who are close contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases should be notified to the local public health unit, receive daily monitoring of symptoms, self-isolate for 14 days following last contact with a confirmed case and be provided with information on what they need to do if they develop symptoms.
1 Aerosol-generating procedures include nebulizing, intubation, suctioning, bronchoscopy, tracheostomy, cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
2 Category 1 countries, as of 3 March: Mainland China, Iran, Northern Italy, Republic of Korea
People with respiratory illness coming from any countries or areas of concern (Category 1 and Category 2 countries) should be assessed using infection prevention and control precautions (standard, contact and droplet). If they meet the suspect case definition, they should be immediately notified to the local Medical Officer of Health. In a hospital setting, the local infectious disease physician should also be immediately contacted.
Other information for Midwives
The following information specifically relevant to midwives and pregnant and breastfeeding women has been collated from other sources.
COVID-19 in pregnant and breastfeeding women
whether there are adverse pregnancy outcome S
It is unknown
Pregnant women experience some immunologic and physiologic changes which could make
them more susceptible to viral respiratory infections, including COVID-19.
s in pregnant women with COVID-19. The
virus for
evere Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV) has not been detected in breast
milk but it is unknown whether women with COVID-19 can transmit the virus via breast milk.
At this stage it is recommended that women with suspected or confirmed COVID-19
infection continue to breastfeed their babies unless specifically advised against this by the
treating health professional.
document.
Links for detailed information are included at the end of this
Information about the role of midwives in disaster or emergency situations
The International Confederation of Midwives has a statement about the role of the midwife in disaster preparedness https://www.internationalmidwives.org/assets/files/statement- files/2019/06/role-of-the-midwife-in-disaster-preparedness-eng-letterhead.pdf
The College also has a consensus statement about infant feeding in emergencies and disasterhttps://www.midwife.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Infant-Feeding-in-Emergencies- and-Disasters.pdf
Important information for community midwives
- The College and MMPO will support midwives to ensure quality midwifery care continues to be accessible to all women in Aotearoa.
- In emergency circumstances there will continue to be funding and support available through the existing rural and urban locum contracts. The College and MMPO will provide information about this if and when needed.
3 Category 2 countries, as of 3 March: Hong Kong, Italy (other than northern Italy), Japan, Singapore, Thailand
Useful links
Check the Ministry of Health website regularly for updates
Ministry of Health – https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-
19-novel-coronavirus
Interim advice for health professionals
https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/pages/ministry-of-health-covid-19- information-for-health-professionals-3march2020.pdf
UNICEF - Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): What parents should knowhttps://www.unicef.org/stories/novel-coronavirus-outbreak-what-parents-should-know
World Health Organisation – how to use face maskshttps://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/when- and-how-to-use-masks
CDC - Pregnancy - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/pregnancy- faq.html
CDC - Breastfeeding - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific- groups/pregnancy-guidance-breastfeeding.html
La Leche League International https://www.llli.org/coronavirus/
For COVID-19 health advice and information contact the Healthline team (for free) on 0800 358 5453 or +64 9 358 5453 for international SIMS.