Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:158 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has plans to expand, extend or improve school medical examinations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26603/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 28 October 2004
Ceisteanna (159)
Freagraí scríofa
The best health for children programme provides for a new core surveillance programme for all children up to 12 years and covers both pre-school developmental examinations as well as the school health service. Underpinning the recommendations in the report is a model which embraces a more holistic child health promotion approach and emphasises the role of parents in achieving best health for children. Additional funding of over €2 million was allocated to the health boards and the Eastern Regional Health Authority to facilitate the implementation of the recommendations set out in the report, Best Health for Children. This funding has been used to appoint key individuals at regional level to drive the implementation process at board level as well as to establish pilot projects aimed at demonstrating best practice.
Working groups have been established to develop a revised national core child health surveillance and screening programme. The objective is to make recommendations on the key areas of child health surveillance such as developmental, vision and oral health. One of the key recommendations in the report, Best Health for Children, is the provision of appropriate training for public health doctors and nurses involved in delivering the child health surveillance programme and the school health service. Additional funding of €700,000 has been provided to health boards and the ERHA in 2003 for this purpose. The funding has been used to appoint relevant training personnel and develop in conjunction with Trinity College Dublin a training programme for those involved in the delivery of the core surveillance programme. The programme was launched earlier this year and it is intended that all those involved in child health surveillance will have received the necessary training by the end of 2005.
With a view to facilitating a co-ordinated and integrated approach to the delivery of a range of child health and child care projects, the Health Boards Executive has established a programme of action for children. An interim steering group has been appointed to oversee the programme's work. The initiative will encompass a number of child related measures, including projects associated with best health for children.