§ Mr. GerrardTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many health authorities carry out 18 to 24 month developmental checks on(a) a selective basis and (b) all children; [45718]
(2) pursuant to his answer of 1 June 1998, Official Report, column 130, if the guidance issued by his Department recommends that 18 to 24 month developmental checks should be carried out on all children. [45717]
§ Mr. BoatengThe Department's guidance recommends that developmental checks are carried out on all children aged 18–24 months, as part of a core programme of child health surveillance. We do not monitor its implementation by health authority. However, in 1997 94 per cent. of general practitioners were involved in arranging for these checks to be carried out.