BRANDON MEDICAL PRACTICE

Dr Williamson, Dr Rae and Dr Benke

&

Denise Chittenden

 

 

Child Health Surveillance Checks

 

Child health record book - the 'Red Book'
All parents are given a red booklet in which to record details of your child's health. This contains graphs to plot weight and height as well as pages for the doctor or health visitor to fill in during the health surveillance checks. The booklet also includes lots of helpful hints regarding your child's health and development. It is well worth reading and keeping up to date. Please bring it with you whenever you see a doctor.

10 day check
There is a general check of the mother's and babies health with a general examination made for abnormalities or signs or infection

6 week check

You will be offered a general check on your baby's health and development.

8 week check
 The nurse will start the vaccination programme with polio drops by mouth and a single Diphtheria, Tetanus, Whooping cough and Haemophilus vaccination in your baby's leg.

12 week booster vaccination
The first booster Polio and DPTHib vaccination.

16 week booster vaccination
A second booster Polio and DPTHib vaccination.

8 month check
The Health Visitor will check your child's development including a hearing test.

1 year vaccination
The nurse gives the Measles, Mumps and Rubella combined vaccine

18 month check
The Health Visitor checks your child's general development.

3 year check
The Health Visitor checks development of language and vision.

4½ year check
The Doctor checks your child's heart and make sure that development has been satisfactory. The nurse will give the pre-school Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio booster vaccination and Measles, Mumps & Rubella booster (MMR).

 

Vaccinations

The surgery offers dedicated clinics for the routine immunisation of under fives. Clinics are held fortnightly. Invitations to the clinic are sent directly by the health authority. Whilst you do not need to confirm if you are attending, if you are unable to attend you must contact the Surgery appointments line to cancel and/or change an appointment. A list of the immunisations and the stages are which they are given are to be found in the child's red book (parent held record). Leaflets with more information about vaccinations can be obtained from the Health Visitors who are also happy to discuss any queries you may have. If your child receives vaccinations at any other surgery or clinic please inform the surgery so our records can be updated.

Please note immunisations will only be administered if the red book (parent held record) is brought to the appointment. This book contains information on the child's full immunisation history and ensures that your child receives appriopriate care. If the child is brought to an immunisation appointment by some one other than a parent, the carer MUST bring a consent form signed by the parent, listing all the immunisations to be given and the appointment date.

 Childhood immunisation Schedules

This advice is based upon advice from the 'UK Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation' (JCVI). The final decision on whether to receive these vaccines is dependant upon agreement between the patient, parent and the administering doctor or nurse.

At birth

  • Tuberculosis (BCG) for those with infected or previously infected family members; immigrants from countries with a high prevalence of tuberculosis and their children and infants.
  • Hepatitis B for babies born to mothers who are chronic carriers of hepatitis B virus or to mothers who have had acute hepatitis B during pregnancy plus their close family members.

2nd, 3rd and 4th months

  • Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and poliomyelitis (DTP + P)
  • Haemophilus influenzae type b (HiB)
  • Meningococcal serogroup C (MenC)

12-15 months

  • Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR).

Pre-school

  • Diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis and poliomyelitis boosters (DTaP + P)
  • Measles, mumps, rubella booster (MMR).


14 years

  • Rubella (girls only). Once the cohort of children who have been immunised at 12-15 months and again pre-school reaches this age this extra dose is unlikely to be necessary
  • Diphtheria, tetanus and poliomyelitis boosters (dT and P).

10-14 years

  • Tuberculosis (BCG) if PPD skin test negative

Further information can be found at immunisation.org.uk

The Health Visitors

There are currently two Health Visitors attached to the practice.

  • Kate Coghan
  • Frances Palmer

Their office is based at Brandon Health Clinic, 9 Bury Road. They are available for consultation and advice either personally or by telephoning between: -

 Tel. 01842 812064 (Suffolk Patients)

And 01366 383241 (Norfolk Patients)

All children under five are allocated a Health visitor once born or shortly after moving into the area.  The Health Visitor is responsible for contacting you after the birth of your child and for arranging child health assessments and giving advice during the pre-school years.