Handy websites for health issues

The Internet is now the biggest worldwide information resource. There is so much information on it, the problem is how do you find what is relative to you as a parent in New Zealand?

As well as talking to health professionals you can use the Internet to find information on health conditions, agencies and groups. This is a summary of services offered from some popular health sites.

New Zealand Health Information service

Has a large list of health-related links
http://www.nzhis.govt.nz/links.html

MedSafe

Information on medicines and medical devices in New Zealand
http://www.medsafe.govt.nz

Starship Children’s Health

Starship has a large web site with child health information. Look on the family information service and kids’ health pages on www.starship.org.nz.

Family Information Service can help you to access information on your child’s medical condition or disability and, if you wish, put you in touch with parent and community support groups.

Kidshealth is an online resource if you want to search independently for child and youth health information. Kidshealth is a joint initiative between the Starship Foundation and the Paediatric Society of New Zealand. www.kidshealth.org.nz

The site includes important information such as keeping children well, medical conditions and helping families through many health complexities such as disability, education and accessing welfare assistance.

Everybody Health Conditions

The site has a list of health articles about an illness or health condition. Everybody also provides information about staying well, tests and treatments, and the New Zealand health scene.
www.everybody.co.nz

Plunket

Plunket is New Zealand’s leading provider of Well Child and family health services. It also offers Plunketline – a toll free telephone support service staffed by specially trained Plunket nurses, available to respond to caregivers’ concerns on child health and parenting. Callers are referred to specialist services where applicable. Staffed seven days a week. You can call PlunketLine on 0800 933 922. www.plunket.org.nz

NZORD

The New Zealand Organisation for Rare Disorders provides quality information about rare conditions, has a comprehensive directory of more than 160 New Zealand support groups, and promotes policy discussion.
www.nzord.org.nz

TOXINZ

TOXINZ is an Internet database containing information regarding toxic compounds and the management of poisoned patients. TOXINZ First-aid – this is free to access by anyone. To search for first-aid information, type the name of the substance in the search box above and click ‘Search’ www.toxinz.com    

By Helen Pulford