Father and Child Trust contributed to the recent Heath Select Committee Inquiry into improving child health outcomes and preventing child abuse, with a focus from preconception until three years of age .

Brendon Smith met with Dr Paul Hutchison MP for Hunua, in September 2013, just as he was completing the report to parliament.

The report emphasises how the earlier any investment in this area, the better. Dr Hutchison looks at the pre-conception efforts and compares us to other European countries, noting that around 40-60% of pregnancies are planned in NZ, compared to 80% in Sweden. They looked at teen pregnancies, obesity and how nutrition helps, monitoring and maternity care, and included a section on ‘Fathers and the Maternity System’.

The report notes –

“We heard from the Father and Child Trust that they provide information and support to fathers in the antenatal and postnatal period and subsequently on parenting issues. The trust envisions New Zealand communities supporting mothers and fathers equally, and both having access to the resources and help they need to work together for the welfare of their children.

The trust considers that sometimes the maternity system does not ensure that both mothers and fathers are positively and sensitively involved. We note the trust’s concerns and we consider that it is fundamental that the maternity system ensure that both mothers and fathers are well supported and included in a sensitive, positive, and practical way, as much as possible, in the antenatal and postnatal periods and beyond.”

Father and Child Trust has a dual mission to provide information or support to fathers, plus to help support agencies engage with fathers, so it is pleasing to get a bit of government backing for our mission. We hope the funding and policy arms of government share this balanced report and its recommendations.

Download the report here:
Inquiry into improving child health outcomes and preventing child abuse, with a focus from preconception until three years of age