§ Baroness Fisher of Rednalasked Her Majesty's Government:
What improvements they are considering to make early detection of preventable health problems in childhood more effective.
§ Lord TrefgarneThe detection of preventable health problems in childhood is one of the prime aims of the community child health services. Her Majesty's Government, and the health service, are continually reviewing how these services may be made more effective. It is expected that the new assessment procedures to be introduced shortly under the Education Act 1981 will both improve the educational provision for children with special educational needs and lead to their earlier identification.
Health departments and professional bodies are considering various proposals for extending the role of general practitioners in preventive work with children. In addition, the professional bodies involved in this work are considering a number of reports on how their training might best be improved.
Accurate and comprehensive information is of crucial importance for effective child health surveillance. Proposals are expected shortly from the Körner Steering Group on Health Services Information about the future information needs of the community child health services. The steering group has established close working links with the Child Health Computing Committee, whose pre-school child health module is currently undergoing pilot trials; a similar school health module is at an advanced stage of development.