Yang Jian: Reports — Inquiry into Improving Child Health Outcomes and Preventing Child Abuse with a Focus from Preconception Until Three Years of Age (Volumes 1 and 2)Text is incorporated into the Bound VolumeYang Jian: Reports — Inquiry into Improving Child Health Outcomes and Preventing Child Abuse with a Focus from Preconception Until Three Years of Age (Volumes 1 and 2)[Sitting date: 10 December 2013. Volume:695;Page:15459. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Dr JIAN YANG (National): It is a great privilege to speak on the report about the inquiry into improving child health outcomes and preventing child abuse with a focus from preconception to 3 years of age. I would first like to commend Dr Paul Hutchison chair of the Health Committee for his outstanding leadership in the conduct of this inquiry. Dr Hutchison demonstrated his extensive knowledge of the New Zealand health system and his unfailing commitment to the inquiry. Without his leadership knowledge and commitment we would not have been able to produce such a high-quality and far-reaching report.This is the very first inquiry that I have participated in as an MP. I have learnt a lot. There were four doctors on the committee initially including Dr Paul Hutchison DrJackie Blue Dr Cam Calder and myself Dr Jian Yang. Dr Paul Hutchison used to say that I was the real doctor but the fact is that the other three doctors are genuine medical doctors; I am not. I have a PhD but know little about the New Zealand health system and medical issues. I have experienced a steep learning curve. This inquiry has helped me tremendously.I also learnt a lot about our democratic system. We had a large number of submissions and hearings from governmental departments institutions NGOs and individual citizens. I would also like to emphasise that the inquiry adopted a science-based approach.The inquiry makes 12 major recommendations and 130 detailed recommendations. Some major recommendations are to research the cost-effectiveness of early intervention programmes from preconception to 3 years to set a national health target for all women to have an antenatal assessment within the first 10 weeks of pregnancy to make sexual education mandatory in all schools and to increase access to long-acting contraceptives. The Government is currently considering the recommendations of the report. The response will be announced next year.The inquiry and its recommendations build on the work the Government is already doing. Young New Zealanders are getting a better start in life. A record 90 percent of 8-month-olds are fully immunised—a huge increase on only 67 percent of 2-year-olds under the previous Government in 2007. We remain on track to have 95 percent of 8-month-olds immunised by 2017. Ninety-five percent of children under 6 have access to free doctors visits day and night 7 days a week. We have insulated 235000 homes helping people to live warmer drier healthier lives and over 40000 children are participating in the Rheumatic Fever Prevention Programme. Budget 2013 is investing $24 million into rheumatic fever prevention.A further amount of $21.3 million is being invested to boost well child services. This will deliver an extra 54000 visits to around 18000 mothers who need this additional support. This means on average three additional well child visits up to the first 2 months of a baby’s life. Budget 2012 provided $1 million over 4 years for financial assistance for beneficiaries to access long-acting reversible contraception. We have also delivered 1300 more fulltime-equivalent doctors and 3000 more nurses.There is always more to do and we will continue to invest in our health services as part of our commitment to deliver better public services. Five years on we are proud to be delivering better sooner more convenient health care for New Zealand families. As a Chinese immigrant I tend to see New Zealand as paradise. We can work together and make our country an even better place for our children. Thank you.