Children in Manawatu receiving their B4 School Checks
21 July 2015
Children in Manawatu receiving their B4 School Checks
More children than ever before in Manawatu are benefiting from free before school health checks.
“The B4 School Checks help to give children the best start at school by identifying and addressing any potential health or developmental problems at an early stage.
“MidCentral District Health Board reached 90 per cent of eligible children through this programme, meaning more of our children are getting their hearing, eyesight, height, weight, and oral health assessments, as well as taking comprehensive health and development questionnaires,” says National MP Jono Naylor.
Nationwide 92 per cent of children received their checks in 2014/15, more than in 2013/14. This figure was matched by those in high deprivation areas.
“Getting the check as close to four years of age as possible ensures families are able to connect with any additional support services they might need before their child starts school.
“National is focused on giving our kids the best start to life through initiatives like this and free GP visits which were extended to all children under-13 on July 1,” says Naylor.
As at 1 July 2015 a total of 97 per cent of the 1,012 general practices around the country who have opted in provide free GP visits for under-13s – covering around 98 per cent of all under-13s.
ENDS