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Written question asked by Tim Loughton (Conservative) on Thursday, 19 December 2019, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 7 January 2020 (named day). It was answered by Jo Churchill (Conservative) on Tuesday, 7 January 2020 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Screening: Children

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the number of children receive their two to two-and-a-half year check from health visitors as part of the Health Child Programme; and what steps he is taking to extend the coverage of that programme.

Answer

The Healthy Child Programme is a universal offer for all children in England. The latest data, for the financial year 2018/19, shows that 77.6% (521,528) of children aged two to two-and-a-half years received their Universal Health Visitor Review. These data are available to view at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/child-and-maternal-health-statistics#health-visitor-service-delivery-metrics

Local authorities commission and monitor the provision of the Healthy Child Programme based on local population needs.

Public Health England is undertaking a systematic review and refresh of the Healthy Child Programme in England. The refresh will ensure that the future approach is both universal in reach and personalised in response to those families needing extra support. It is proposed that the programme will extend coverage from the pre-conception period until age 24 years.

The five mandated Universal Health Visitor Reviews (antenatal, new birth visit, six to eight week review, one-year review and two to two-and-a half year review) will remain a core element of the Healthy Child Programme.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
25
Session
2019-21
Subjects
Children Health visitors Screening
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk