Disadvantaged Scottish families less likely to access health visitor checks

A study by researchers at NHS Scotland and the University of Edinburgh looked at take-up of child health reviews among 80,000 children, born in 1998/99 and 2007/8.

The main aim of the research was to analyse whether the shift from universal to more targeted health visiting services has improved access to provision for disadvantaged families.

The study found that just 78 per cent of children in deprived areas were seen by a health visitor for the check intended to take place when a child is aged between 39 and 42 months old, compared to 92 per cent of those in the least deprived areas.

The research also found a significant overall drop in the proportion of children who access health checks as they get older. While 99 per cent of all children were seen by a health visitor within 10 days of being born, only 86 per cent were seen for the 39 to 42 month review.

Research lead Dr Rachael Wood, a consultant in public health medicine in the information services division of NHS National Services Scotland, said: “With this move away from universal checks and to a targeted service one would have hoped to see an uptake among families in deprived areas.

“When we spoke to health visitors we found that they are offering these reviews but for whatever reason parents are missing appointments or choosing not to attend.”

She said further research was needed to look closely at the reasons why families in deprived areas are less likely to see a health visitor as their children grow older.

Dr Wood added: “It could be that they do not see it as important in which case some work needs to be done around their perceptions of health checks.”