It’s been 5 years and 10,317 babies since Newborn Hearing Screening commenced at Hutt Valley District Health Board (HVDHB) in July 2009. The programme is now offered nationally through all the District Health Boards.
To celebrate their 5th anniversary and to thank the staff involved with their service here at Hutt Hospital, the screening team enjoyed cake and treats with their colleagues from the Maternity, Special Care Units, Audiology and ENT Departments.
Newborn hearing screening is the first step in the Universal Newborn Hearing and Early Intervention Programme (UNHSEIP). The aim of the programme is the early identification of permanent congenital hearing loss with specific goals of completing screening by 1 month, diagnosis by 3 months, and interventions offered by 6 months. Identifying hearing loss early and putting support in place improves outcomes for children with hearing loss and their families and whanau.
Pictured: Screeners Sandra Hoggarth, Laverna Quirk, and Janine Frost cut the celebratory cake.
