The Hāpai Te Hauora SUDI (Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy) Prevention Coordination Service supports the release by
the Ministry of the Health of the National SUDI Prevention Programme: Needs Assessment and Care Planning Guide and the
National Safe Sleep Device Quality Specification Guidelines. These resources are interconnected to a broader National
SUDI Prevention Programme which seeks to significantly reduce the rates of New Zealand babies passing away of SUDI.
"As Māori and Pacific babies are most impacted by SUDI, it is important that our systems are receptive and understand
the needs of our populations. Engaging with whānau in a culturally safe manner and having increased access to Māori
derived health solutions such as wahakura are steps to reducing the health inequities we experience in Aotearoa. These
resources provide some tools and processes towards addressing these" says Fay Selby-Law, General Manager NSPCS (National
SUDI Prevention Coordination Service).
"The NSPCS has been working towards capturing insights of SUDI prevention with experts and advocates within the
workforce as well as community. Online training modules have been created to sit alongside the new Ministry of Health
documents. The training has prioritised key tools to support health professionals with best practice SUDI prevention
messaging as well as effective ways to engage with whānau" says Nari Faiers, Workforce Development Lead.
Our service welcomes these resources as they provide tools for the workforce and community sectors to contribute to the
overall goal of reducing the SUDI incidence across New Zealand.
The latest guidelines for SUDI Prevention are available on the Ministry’s website:
National Safe Sleep Device Quality Specification Guidelines www.health.govt.nz/publication/national-sudi-prevention-programme-national-safe-sleep-device-quality-specification-guidelines
National SUDI Prevention Needs assessment and care planning guide www.health.govt.nz/publication/national-sudi-prevention-programme-needs-assessment-and-care-planning-guide