Enrolling newborns with a GP

Recent policy changes mean that newborn babies can now be enrolled with their GP soon after birth.

New Zealand research has found that an established relationship with a primary health care provider is a critical factor in children receiving essential healthcare and the timely delivery of immunisations.
 
Currently fewer than 50% of newborns are enrolled with a GP at 12 weeks.

However, under the new enrolment policy, GP practices can now enter newborns into their patient database as soon as they are nominated as the baby’s GP by the parents at the birthing unit, rather than waiting to enrol them at their first doctor’s appointment.
 
One of the benefits of the new system is that practices will be able to remind parents when their baby is due for their first immunisation at six weeks of age and going forwards.

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^{Source NZ Ministry of Health. Image source: Dreamtime}