Newborn Metabolic Screening (Guthrie card) contingency - South Island

Updated 18th March 2011

New Zealand Post is now back to normal services in the South Island. Therefore, Guthrie cards around the South Island can now be placed in the post. The Newborn Metabolic Screening Programme has new envelopes which include postage. These are being sent to all birthing units in the South Island.

If you have not received any, or require more, please contact the Programme Leader, Kathy Bendikson at [email protected].

Original Release - Friday 25th Feburary 2011

Guthrie cards are normally placed in the post from around New Zealand and sent to LabPLUS in Auckland for testing. Due to the Christchurch earthquake, postal services in that area and for much of the South Island have been suspended.

We have arranged courier services for the Christchurch area hospitals (Christchurch Women's Hospital, Maternity services at Lincoln, Rangiora, Ashburton and Kaikoura) to LabPLUS. For any LMCs in these areas please continue to take heel prick samples at 48 hours or as soon as possible after this. Do not place Guthrie cards in the post, please take them to these maternity units.

Please note that postal delays in samples and results may affect all other South Island areas. For all results or to check if a Guthrie card has been received by the laboratory please call 08005227587.