§ Mr. GerrardTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many health authorities currently carry out 18 months old developmental checks on children; and how many do not; [42975]
(2) what guidance has been issued by his Department to health authorities regarding developmental checks on young children. [42976]
§ Mr. BoatengDevelopmental checks on children, including at the age of 18–24 months, form part of the core child health surveillance programme recommended in guidance issued by the Department in 1992—which updated the content and focus of this activity in line with developments in medical knowledge. The programme is led by general practitioners, who are trained and accredited in the practice of child health surveillance, with the assistance of health visitors and other members of the primary health care team. The majority (some 94 per cent.) of general practitioners participate in this service. We do not know of any health authority area where the service is not available.