Sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) is sudden unexplained deaths in new-borns (birth to 28 days) and infants (birth to one year) in the presence of known risk factors, e.g. not placing babies on their backs to sleep, tobacco smoking, a lack of breastfeeding, and bed-sharing that remain unexplained after investigation including performance of autopsy, death scene examination and clinical history review (Child and Youth Moratlity Review Committee, 2017).

Of the some 60,000 babies born in New Zealand each year, 44 will die in within their first year of life from SUDI. The rate is around 0.7 deaths per 1,000 babies born. Most of these deaths occur in Māori and Pacific whānau.

This procurement relates to the delivery of Lakes DHB local SUDI Prevention programme. Previously this has been provided by Lakes DHB (Population Health) who delivered a range of activities including: Hapū wānanga, weaving wānanga, distribution of safe sleep devices and contributed to the Midlands Regional approach, with Waikato, Taranaki, Bay of Plenty and Tairawhiti DHBs. Hapū wānanga have been running for over two years and have been positively received by those who attend.

Going forward we want to continue the provision of hapū wānanga, but believe that this would be best moved to a community-based Māori provider to deliver a service/programme that reaches and engages with our priority population and addresses the known SUDI risk factors, in particular smoking and risky sleeping environments.

Supplier breifing will be held 16th February. Please register by 12th February.