Health surveillance of preschool children: four years' experience.
OBJECTIVE
To monitor the implementation of a programme of health surveillance for preschool children and measure its effect on child health.


METHODS
Regular reporting to primary care teams of their own performance, and determining the overall effect of the programme on children in the district.


METHODS
All practices in Northumberland health district.


METHODS
All children of preschool age in Northumberland (3600 births each year).


METHODS
Proportion of eligible children immunised and screened for abnormalities. Age at diagnosis of congenital deafness, cerebral palsy, and special educational needs.


RESULTS
Over 90% of eligible children were covered by the health surveillance scheme. Child health improved over the four years after the scheme was implemented. Uptake of immunisation against measles rose from 68% to 93% of eligible children, and the average age at which congenital deafness was diagnosed fell to 9 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Maintaining the effectiveness of a surveillance programme and reporting this back to primary health care teams are processes which themselves improve health.
Beaconhill Children's Centre, Cramlington, Northumberland.
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Colver
D000367:Age Factors; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004739:England; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D008403:Mass Screening; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011322:Primary Prevention