Bernard J. Durkan
Question:166 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has satisfied himself with the degree to which child health care is monitored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18751/00]
Written Answers. - Child Health Services.
Under section 66 of the Health Act, 1970, health boards are statutorily responsible for the provision of child health services.
A review of these services has been completed by the chief executive officers of the health boards. This review resulted in the recent publication of the report "Best Health for Children".
The report's recommendations are wide ranging covering issues such as perinatal reporting, parent education, the roles and responsibilities of professionals, and the introduction of a standardised national child health surveillance programme. This core programme for child health surveillance will encompass all children between birth and the conclusion of primary schooling. Such screening will range from full physical examination at birth to measurement of growth – height and weight – testing of visual acuity and of hearing and general observation in later age groups. The report also recommends selective medical examination of children with problems. It also stresses the importance of monitoring services and ensuring that the effectiveness of the new surveillance system can be measured.
The implementation of the report's recommendations is a matter for the health boards. The chief executive officers have established the national conjoint child health committee. This committee will have an important advisory role in relation to child health and will also be responsible for the development and setting of standards in terms of a quality child health service. The committee will also be examining the area of adolescent health. The chief executive officers have also appointed a national child health co-ordinator for the purpose of overseeing implementation of the recommendations of the report in the health boards. Each of the health boards has established an implementation group and they are currently assessing their needs in relation to the recommendations in the report. The health boards are also proposing to run separate demonstration projects relating to different aspects of the report's recommendations so that on completion the best practice can be extended to other boards.