2.12 - Notifiable Diseases:

Overview of Notifiable Diseases and Related Legislation

  • Definition of Notifiable Diseases

    • A notifiable disease is defined as any disease or injury that health professionals must report to the local Medical Officer of Health (MoH) as per the legal requirements outlined in the Health Act (1956).

    • It is crucial that health practitioners stay updated with the latest list of notifiable diseases to ensure compliance and public health safety.

Course Structure and Upcoming Activities

  • Activities Related to Notifiable Diseases

    • Each topic, including notifiable diseases, will include specific activity sheets to guide learning and assessment.

    • Activity answers have been posted in a separate PowerPoint accessible by students, intended to assist them prior to examinations.

  • Exam Information

    • Exam scheduled for 28th September 2025, to be confirmed after final scheduling adjustments.

    • Anticipated feedback regarding activities to students will be provided by next week to ensure adequate preparation.

Focus on Notifiable Diseases

  • Legislation Overview

    • Under the Health Act of 1956, specific diseases are classified as notifiable. This classification can evolve over time as new diseases emerge (e.g., COVID-19 was added in response to the pandemic).

    • Importance of referring to the updated list of notifiable diseases for relevance in clinical practice.

List of Notifiable Diseases in New Zealand

  • Key Sections of the Notifiable Disease List

    • The latest update was recorded on 14th February 2025, which includes a comprehensive breakdown of infectious diseases reported by health practitioners and laboratories.

    • This list must be referenced for accurate and current information.

  • Types of Notifiable Diseases

    • Examples include:

    • Section A - Infectious Diseases Notifiable to a Medical Officer of Health:

      • Acute gastroenteritis

      • Campylobacteriosis

      • Listeriosis

      • Meningococcal disease

      • Salmonellosis

    • Section B - Other Infectious Diseases:

      • COVID-19

      • Hepatitis B

      • Mumps

      • Pertussis (whooping cough)

      • Syphilis

Specific Diseases to Be Aware Of

  • Listeriosis and Salmonella

    • Pregnant women may reach out to midwives due to potential listeriosis or salmonella infections.

    • Recommendations include referral to assessment facilities,

    • Midwives are responsible for notifying healthcare teams about such cases, establishing a communication plan for notification responsibilities.

  • COVID-19

    • In case of suspected COVID-19, immediate action should be taken, including referral and assessment.

    • Communication with the General Practitioner (GP) is essential for notification.

  • Mumps and Pertussis

    • Understanding the dynamics of notification regarding children’s health is critical since symptoms could arise postpartum related to siblings or children of the mothers being attended.

Notification Responsibilities

  • General Practice and Record-keeping

    • Whether the health practitioner will notify depends on the protocol established within the medical team and the patient's healthcare context.

  • Unique Identifier Numbers for Reporting

    • Identifiable details are omitted from such reports; each case is assigned a unique identifier for confidentiality.

Practical Application and Resources

  • Access to Resources

    • Two primary websites provide up-to-date information about notifying authorities:

    • Ministry of Health

    • Health New Zealand

    • These resources help identify relevant authorities based on regional requirements (Northern region, Central region, etc.).

  • Implication of Notifications

    • Understanding the local variations in notification practices is crucial for compliance with the Health Act.

    • Midwives should familiarize themselves with these websites and incorporate findings into practice.

  • Ethical and Professional Responsibility

    • Midwives must navigate the ethics of public health reporting while maintaining patient confidentiality.

    • Clarity in the process and communication is vital to ensure the patient care continuum is upheld.

Conclusion

  • Final Thoughts

    • Compliance with the notification process is a legal obligation that impacts public health significantly. Awareness of infectious diseases is essential for midwives and affects the decisions made in clinical practice.

  • Preparation for Future Examinations

    • Continuous review of notifiable disease lists and regional factors of notification will be beneficial for professional practice and examination readiness.