Southland Children Benefit from free screening

3 August 2009

More Southland Children Benefit from free Health and Development Screening Programme

Southland District Health Board (DHB) exceeded its B4 School Checks targets for the 2008/09 year, with 23% more Southland children benefiting from the free health and development assessment.

The B4 school check is a free health and development screening programme for four year olds which includes a check of the child’s physical, social and emotional development, vision and hearing, teeth and gums. It gives parents/caregivers an opportunity to discuss their child’s health and development with a registered nurse before they head off to school.

Southland DHB Divisional Manager (Women and Children) Lynley Irvine said the team (consisting of the B4SC Coordinator, Public Health Nurses and the Vision Hearing Technicians) completed 731 checks by 30 June 2009, 136 more than contracted for the 2008/09 year. She said this achievement was due to the commitment from staff, the strong support from the early childhood sector and the enthusiasm of parents/caregivers.

“The success of this programme results from the excellent relationship we have with pre-schools throughout Southland and the Wakatipu area,” said Mrs Irvine.

“They facilitated a significant number of checks for four year olds in their areas by heightening awareness, providing facilities for the checks to take place and encouraging parents to take part, and without their help this fantastic result would not have been possible.”

“The evidence shows us that the relationship between the health and education sectors is really valuable in providing access to health services and opportunities for screening ‘Well’ children”

The B4 School Check Assessment Includes:

• Child health questionnaire including oral health
• Social/emotional/developmental screening
• Hearing and vision screening
• Health promotion and education
• Where required, referrals to appropriate health, education or social services and follow up e.g. immunisation, dental

B4 School Checks will continue to be delivered in 2009/10 by Southland DHB’s Well Child Team. Over the next 11 months 1400 children are eligible to receive a B4 School Check in Southland, with the service aiming to perform at least 900 checks.

ENDS

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