24 September 2008

<% NewsURL = Recordset1.Fields.Item("URL").Value if NewsURL <> "" OR NewsURL <> "http://www.adhb.govt.nz" Then response.write "Click here for more information. ("&NewsURL&")" end if %>Auckland District Health Board

ADHB introduces B4 School Check programme

Auckland District Health Board launched the B4 School Check programme on 1 September as part of a national programme offering a comprehensive health check for four year olds before they go to school.

This is a New Zealand wide programme that will benefit 60,000 Kiwi kids.

Dr Denis Jury, ADHB Chief Planning and Funding Officer says, “Identifying problems early will help a whole new generation of learners, and better support them as they adjust to their new life as school pupils.”

The checks will be provided by a team of experienced child health nurses employed by ADHB and will identify any health, behavioural, social, or developmental concerns which could affect a child's ability to learn, for example a hearing problem or communication difficulty

Action can be taken early - for example, it might mean referring the child to an appropriate service such as a family doctor, hearing specialist, child development service or specialist education service.

The B4 School programme was piloted in Wanganui and South Auckland and has been designed to ensure that all New Zealand children are prepared and supported to learn before they walk through the school gates.

The check will be provided to children aged four to five years and will include a general health questionnaire, hearing and vision screening, height and weight measurement, behavioural/developmental screening, immunisation review and an oral health assessment. The nurses providing the checks will also provide health education and where appropriate advocacy and support

The Early Childhood Education sector is supporting the programme through the provision of teacher input into the assessment of children’s behavioural and developmental status.

To find out more information about the programme in the Auckland City (including Waiheke and Great Barrier Islands) area please call 0800 338 333 or email b4schoolcheck@adhb.govt.nz

-Ends-
For more information, or for an interview, contact:
Sneha Paul, ADHB Communications Manager, 0064 21 366 664 or email adhbcommunications@adhb.govt.nz