B4School Health Checks

PHO representatives attended a meeting at Public Health on Wednesday 9th April regarding the upcoming roll-out of B4 School Health Checks for 4 year olds. Nelson Marlborough is one of 4 DHBs nationally involved in the first roll-out of the programme. The time frame dictated by the Ministry of Health to commence roll out is very tight with the programme needing to be initiated from 1st week in June 2008. However, full roll-out in the area is not expected until June 2009. This means some practices may choose to "wait and see" while teething problems are ironed out, and then make a decision prior to June 2009 whether or not they would like their practices to be involved. Public Health will be coordinating the area≠s response to these checks, and any questions can be directed to them.

1. Interviews to appoint B4 School Coordinator to take place 16th April 2008

2. Train the trainer workshops - Wellington 21st to 23rd April 2008 (This is Next week).

RNZ Plunket Society successfully tendered for provision of National training. This is to achieve national consistency of practice. Trainers will be paid for their time, flights and accommodation. Those interested in becoming a trainer should please let Annemarie Ballagh of Public Health this week. Please note the places are limited to three. One needs to come from Marlborough.

3. Training for local Providers.

Once local trainers have completed their B4 School training, they will then be available to train those providers in Nelson Marlborough who wish to conduct B4 School checks in their practices/community settings. This will be coordinated by the newly appointed B4 School Coordinator. Trainers will be paid for their time as they train other providers.

4. Content of B4 School Check

• a general health questionnaire
• hearing and vision screening (done by Vision and Hearing Technicians)
• height and weight measurements
• behavioural/developmental screening
• an oral health assessment
• provision of health education, advocacy and support.

Registered Nurses who have completed B4 school training are only people able to conduct these checks.

At the meeting held 9th April 2008, it was confirmed by Mark Garisch and Annemarie Ballagh of Public Health that the most likely figure would be $100 per check. Time allocation for checks is up to 90 minutes per child. It must be noted that this figure is a unit price per check and includes Vision and Hearing Technician and Practice Nurse time. At the time of the report, a price for contribution made by each Practice Nurse was not available.

7. Other considerations:

• It is hoped that children who are located in Deprivation 8 to 10 areas would be initially targeted, as they are more likely to have missed out on previously screening
• The check will be offered to children once they turn 4. No catch-up is expected for those who are already 4.
• Vision and Hearing Technicians will deliver the Hearing and Vision Screening part of each check √ this component cannot be a Practice Nurse. The directive is that there has to be national consistency for this part of the screening.

Download the following pdfs for more background information: "B4School-Summary" and "B4School-Issues"