Outcomes are reported from an evaluation conducted between August and December 2014 of registered nurse-led school clinics in 61 primary and intermediate schools in Counties Manukau, South Auckland. The evaluation assessed the service delivery, outcomes, value for money and effectiveness. Mana Kidz reaches over 24,000 children aged 5–12 years. The service includes daily assessment and treatment of sore throats to prevent rheumatic fever, identification and management of skin infections, as well as identification of other health needs such as hearing, vision or child protection concerns. As at September 2014, 97% of all eligible children were consented into the programme (n=23,756). Between February 2013 and September 2014, 191,423 throat swabs were completed, of which 20,696 (11%) were culture-positive for Group A streptococcus (GAS); 20,176 were treated. Mana Kidz teams treated (includes cleaning and covering alone) 17,593 skin infections and actioned ~4,000 of them. Rates of pharyngeal GAS were reduced from an estimated 26% in 2013 to 14% in 2014 (p=0.01). Hospitalisation admission rates for acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and skin infections declined during the survey period. There was evidence of effective engagement with children, parents/whānau and improved health literacy, especially knowledge about sore throats, ARF, medication adherence and skin infection. The programme was delivered at $280 per participating child in the 2013/14 financial year.
