The Department of Health have published their annual Healthy Child, Healthy Future report for 2023/24.
The publication shows the coverage and timeliness of preschool health contacts, focused on the Healthy Child, Healthy Future framework. This framework sets out a programme of six pre-school health reviews:
- New baby review
- 6-8 week review
- 14-16 week review
- 6-9 month contact
- Health review 1 year
- 2-2.5 year health review
For 2023/24, 86% of the six reviews were completed within the recommended timeframe, while an additional 9% were completed outside the recommended timeframe (either early or late). Around 6% did not take place at all.
Compared to 2022/23, 2023/24 saw an increase in the number of reviews completed, both on time and in total. The importance of these early contacts is outlined in the Healthy Child, Healthy Future programme, with timely reviews integral to promoting strong parent-child relationships, as well as the early detection and prevention of developmental delays, ill health and safety concerns.
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