Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora have published a new national maternity companion statement titled: Companion Statement on Vitamin D and Sun Exposure in Pregnancy and Infancy in Aotearoa New Zealand - Tau?k? ?piti m? te Huranga Hihir? me te Huaora D i te Hap?tanga me te Nohinohitanga i Aotearoa. Please share this email with your relevant networks to ensure widespread dissemination. The guideline is located on our website here.
This companion statement was developed by a multidisciplinary steering group with sector wide consultation. This companion statement supersedes previous versions.
This Companion Statement provides information about vitamin D and sun exposure in pregnancy and infancy (0?2 years) and is evidence-informed and based on expert consensus from the Steering Group. It should be read in conjunction with the Consensus Statement on Vitamin D and Sun Exposure in New Zealand (Ministry of Health and Cancer Society, 2012), the Ng? Paerewa Health and Disability Services Standard 8134:2021 (Standards New Zealand, 2021) and the corresponding sector guidance.
All practitioners are advised to read the companion statement and supporting content to comprehensively understand this update, the changes, and the implications they have on practice. Practitioners must be aware that any reference to previous versions within other maternity related clinical guidance will require careful consideration during implementation. It is expected that this companion statement will be implemented within maternity services and professional practice to the best of one?s ability, ensuring clear documentation and rationale when there is an inability to do so.
Please see below some of the key messages for practitioners which are also available on page 2 of the guideline.