Tauranga babies who had their hearing tested at Tauranga Hospital are not among the 2000 babies around the country who have to have their hearing retested.

Up to 2000 babies across six health boards may have to return for another check after the Ministry of Health found problems in its national newborn screening programme.

Bay of Plenty District Health Board CEO Phil Cammish says while there have been no problems identified in Tauranga, families of 542 babies screened at Whakatane Hospital have been contacted and advised to bring their babies in for second test.

He says there is a chance one part of the testing procedure used at Whakatane Hospital could have resulted in a potential for hearing loss to be missed.

Stuff.co.nz is reporting eight hearing-test screeners have been fired since the nationwide problem came to light.

About 55,000 newborn babies are screened through the programme from around 64,000 births a year.

The Ministry of Health says similar issues around newborn screening have occurred overseas.

'Our priority throughout this process is to ensure families are being kept informed of the process and there is support available to them,” says national services purchasing director Jill Lane.

'We encourage all the families who have yet to take up the offer of re-screening to do so.”
Jill says the actions taken since issues were flagged earlier this year mean New Zealanders can be reassured screening in the newborn hearing programme is being provided to a high standard and regularly monitored.

'If you have concerns about the hearing of your child, please contact your GP in the first instance.

'Your GP can refer you to a specialist if they have concerns. If you have questions about the newborn hearing screening programme please contact your DHB.”