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Source: New Zealand Plunket Society – Press Release/Statement:
Headline: Plunket nurse set to make a difference to local community
Plunket Nurse Karen Thurston is looking forward to providing even greater support to whānau in her community following her registration as a nurse practitioner. “It’s a very exciting time for Karen and the local community”, said Dr Jane O’Malley, Plunket’s Chief Nurse, in acknowledging Karen’s achievement.
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Source: New Zealand Plunket Society – Press Release/Statement:
Headline: Remember the ‘heater-metre rule’ this winter
The recent wintry blast has signalled that winter is not far away, and Plunket is reminding families that now is a good time to get prepared and stay alert to the dangers from heaters, fireplaces and other sources of winter warmth.
“We always advise parents and caregivers to remember the ‘heater-metre rule’. “Heat can build up quickly so keep heaters at least one metre away from bedding, curtains, clothing and furniture and other flammable items,” says Sue Campbell, Plunket’s National Child Safety Advisor.
“It is also important to put up a safety guard around any heat source and attach it to the wall,” says Ms Campbell. “Young children are attracted to flames and are unaware of the dangers.”
Winter is also a time for illnesses like coughs, colds and the flu. Families can help prevent this by airing mattresses at every opportunity when baby is out of the bed.
Keeping the room ventilated is also important, and if a heater is used in the bedroom keeping the door open slightly will help the room from overheating.
“Having plenty of blankets on hand is also a good idea, especially if power cuts are possible due to extreme weather. The best kind are cotton and/or woollen as natural fibres breathe and help babies and children from overheating.”
To keep you and your whānau safe in the home this winter here are some top tips:
For more home safety information see our website.
If parents or caregivers have any questions about keeping safe over winter talk to your Plunket nurse or contact PlunketLine on 0800 933 922.
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Source: New Zealand Plunket Society – Press Release/Statement:
Headline: Listening to the needs of young Karori families – consultation means future of crèche on hold
Statement from Plunket Chief Executive Amanda Malu:
“We’ve heard a wide variety of views, ideas and questions following our decision to no longer provide early childhood education in Karori. Some members of the Karori community understand why we’ve made this difficult decision and others feel it should stay to serve local families.
“With over 700 Karori families currently using a wide variety of our services we think it’s important we get the broadest view possible of the needs in this community. We are going to listen and consult with these Karori families and other stakeholders to understand how we can best support Karori children.
“The future status of the Karori Plunket Crèche is on hold until this consultation is complete and there are final decisions about services in Karori. We have offered existing crèche families an interim childcare service at our Plunket buildings while this consultation takes place. We know this situation has been difficult for some families and we genuinely want to offer all the support we can.
“We would like to again assure the Karori community that our Plunket nursing service, our free parenting programmes and our various groups and services were never impacted by the decision to close the crèche. We will continue to deliver those services but this consultation is about how we can make the biggest difference in the community.
“As a 110 year-old organisation we’ve constantly changed as the needs of families have changed in that time. So we know change is hard and not always comfortable. But we genuinely want to learn from this process, using it to inform how we better engage with other communities in the future.”
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Source: New Zealand Plunket Society – Press Release/Statement:
Headline: Plunket Transition Update
People are talking about Plunket this week and we understand some people are wondering what we are doing.
We want to assure New Zealanders that hundreds of dedicated Plunket staff and volunteers up and down the country are doing the same thing today that we’ve been doing for over 110 years – looking after families at one of the most critical and special times of their lives. We continue to do this and our Plunket nursing service is not changing.
But Plunket has recently made some changes to our structure – because we have to – but it looks like not everyone knows that story; why and how we are transforming, and what it means for New Zealand.
Through our proud 110 year history, everything our dedicated staff, volunteers and supporters have done has been about investing in families and children so we can make the biggest difference in their lives. But we all know, society is constantly changing and we have to change with it.
New Zealand has too many children living in poverty, and we have a new generation of parents wanting our services delivered in ways that work for them and at times that suit them, including through digital channels.
This is what led us to make historic changes over the last few years to our governance structure and to become a single national entity.
Our previous structure had led to vast disparities in our support to communities. In those areas with an active area society and volunteer base – Plunket’s extra services were plentiful. But in others, often those that needed it most, dwindling volunteer numbers and fewer members to support area societies, meant there were hardly any community services at all.
This was a courageous step by our membership to vote to consolidate and work together to address the needs of all families.
We will continue to work with our volunteers, communities and funders. These friends play a vital role in building our future because, while our Well Child service is funded by the Government, all our other services including parenting education, refugee family groups and playgroups for example, only happen because of their generous support – of funding, time and local people understanding local needs.
We know change is hard. But our decisions will necessarily be bold and brave so we can be there when families need us and we can deliver our strategy, the Journey Towards Generational Change.
If you would like to hear Plunket CEO, Amanda Malu talk about Plunket’s changes you can listen here.
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Source: New Zealand Plunket Society – Press Release/Statement:
Headline: Plunket in the news
Tonight One News ran a story regarding Plunket’s decision to close our Karori crèche and also included mention of our ongoing work with the Culverden community regarding a Plunket property.
The story suggested that Plunket was taking or selling the Culverden building. This is not the case. We want to maintain a strong presence in communities and many of our buildings play an important role in connecting families to Plunket’s services.
In 2016, Plunket’s Area Boards voted for Plunket to become a single unified entity. In areas with an active area society and volunteer base Plunket’s extra services were plentiful, but in others, often those that needed it most, dwindling volunteer numbers and fewer members to support area societies, meant there were few community services at all. This structure had led to disparities in our support to communities.
The vote to come together was an historic step and one that has given us the full strength of Plunket’s people, property and resources to really make the difference for families across the country – especially our most vulnerable.
Across New Zealand, we’ve made a commitment that if there are any plans to change a property a Plunket community uses, we will engage first. This is part of the Plunket Trust Deed to ensure our volunteers understand that local consultation remains a priority.
Plunket was built on the hard work of volunteers and we continue to treasure that. We also greatly appreciate the generous support – financial and otherwise – offered by others including funders, partners, and sponsors.
You can read about Plunket’s direction in our strategy, The Journey Towards Generational Change 2016-2021.
Please send any questions to: communications@plunket.org.nz
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