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Dorset Child Health Information Service (CHIS)

Dorset Child Health Information Service (CHIS)
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Dorset Child Health Information Service (CHIS)

The Child Health Information Service (CHIS) maintains the electronic records for all 0 – 19 year olds registered with a GP practice or school within Dorset. Working with GP practices to deliver screening and immunisations and supporting Health Visitors and School Nurses to promote the Healthy Child Programme.

Contact this service

Phone

0300 303 9996 (Option 2)

Email

provide.chisdorset@nhs.net

Child Development
Road Map

Birth to 6 Hours
Newborn Hearing Screening

Your baby’s hearing can be tested after baby is two hours old and before 4 weeks of age.

A small soft tipped ear piece will be placed in your baby’s outer part of their ear which sends clicking sounds down the ear.
The screening equipment will pick up the echo produced by the cochlea.
Screening only takes a few minutes and you can stay with your baby throughout, the results are given to you at the end of the test.
For more information visit the NHS website.

Newborn and Infant Physical Examination

Your baby will be given a thorough examination within 72 hours of being born which will include:
Eyes: about two or three in 10,000 babies have problems with their eyes that require treatment.

Heart: around one in 200 babies may have a heart problem.
Hips: about one or two in 1,000 babies have hip problems that require treatment.
Testes: about one in 100 baby boys have problems with their testes that require treatment.

For more information visit the NHS website.

 
Newborn Bloodspot Screening

Every baby is offered newborn blood spot screening, also known as the heel prick test, ideally when they’re five days old.

Newborn blood spot screening involves taking a blood sample to find out if your baby has one of nine rare but serious health conditions.

Most babies won’t have any of these conditions but, for the few who do, the benefits of screening are enormous.

Early treatment can improve their health, and prevent severe disability or even death.

New Baby Review – Health Visitor
By 14 days New Baby Review – Health Visitor You will be offered regular health and development reviews (Health Visitor checks) for your baby until they are two.
 
These are to support you and your baby, and make sure their development is on track. They can give you advice on safe sleeping, vaccinations, feeding and development.
Newborn and Infant Physical Examination
Your baby will be invited for another examination usually conducted by your GP.  This will include eyes, heart, hips and testes plus they will have their weight, length and head circumference measured.

For more information visit the NHS website.
Immunisations
Your baby will be invited to attend their GP practice to have the following vaccinations:
diphtheria (1), tetanus (part 1), pertussis (part 1), polio (part 1), hib (part 1), hepatitis B (part 1)
meningococcal B (part 1)
rotavirus gastroenteritis (part 1) 

For more information visit the NHS website.
12 weeks
Your baby will be invited to attend their GP practice to have the following vaccinations:
diphtheria (part 2), tetanus (part 2), pertussis (part 2), polio (part 2), hib (part 2), hepatitis B (part 2)
pneumococcal (part 1)
rotavirus gastroenteritis (part 2) 

For more information visit the NHS website.
16 weeks
Your baby will be invited to attend their GP practice to have the following vaccinations:
diphtheria (part 3), tetanus (part 3), pertussis (part 3), polio (part 3), hib (part 3), hepatitis B (part 3)
meningococcal B (part 2)

For more information visit the NHS website.
Newborn and Infant Physical Examination
Your Health Visitor will complete a review on your baby which will include language and learning, safety and diet.

For more information visit the NHS website.
Immunisations 

One year old (on or after child’s first birthday) the following immunisations are needed:

Hib and MenC (first scheduled booster), pneumococcal (part two), measles, mumps and rubella (part one), men B (part three).

For more information visit the NHS website.

Immunisations 
Influenza, each year from September.

For more information visit the NHS website.

 

Pre-School Booster Immunisation

Influenza, each year from September.

For more information visit the NHS website.

Three years four months old or soon after:
 
Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio (first scheduled booster)
measles, mumps and rubella (MMR 2)

For more information visit the NHS website.

 

Health Assessment – School Entry

All children should be offered a health assessment during their first year at school which includes a hearing test and vision test.

 
National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP)

As well as the hearing and vision screening your child will have their weight and height measured. This forms part of the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP). You will be asked to sign a consent form for this measurement to be taken. If you choose to opt in to the programme you will be informed if your child falls outside of a healthy weight category for their height.

 
National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP)

As well as the hearing and vision screening your child will have their weight and height measured. This forms part of the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP). You will be asked to sign a consent form for this measurement to be taken. If you choose to opt in to the programme you will be informed if your child falls outside of a healthy weight category for their height.

 
Health Assessment – School Entry

A health review will be carried out by the School Nursing Team when your child moves from primary school to secondary school.

 
HPV Vaccine 

Cervical cancer caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18 (and genital warts caused by types six and 11)

 
Booster Immunisations

14 year old boosters:

tetanus (second scheduled booster), diphtheria (second scheduled booster) and polio (second scheduled booster), meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y disease (part one).

For more information visit the NHS website.

 

About this service

Eligibility Criteria

CHIS support GP practices, Health Visitors and all health professionals involved with the care of children between the ages of 0 – 19 within Dorset.

When/where is the service delivered?
The CHIS Service operates 7 days a week. Dorset office hours operate Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
 
Provide – Child Health
5A Widcombe Street
Poundbury
Dorset
DT1 3BS
Tel: 0300 303 9995
  • CHIS has been successful in winning a contract to provide Dorset Child Health Information Service from      1 November 2020
  • CHIS won the ‘Innovation Award’ 2019
  • CHIS has had an ‘Employee of the Year’ 3 years running – 2018/2019/2020
  • CHIS have won the Provide sustainability award for the past 2 years – 2017/18
source: NHS England
Are the vaccines safe?
Yes.  All vaccines are thoroughly tested over many years before they are approved for use in the UK.  They are then monitored for any rare side-effects by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency.  More info
 
Should I delay vaccination if my child is unwell?
No.  There are very few illnesses that would prevent your child from being vaccinated, but if in doubt discuss this with your GP or practice nurse.
 
The timing for each vaccination is based in scientific evidence that considers
The response to the vaccine in children of different ages
The risk of disease
The potential complications to the child
The potential for disease transmission in the community
The efficiency of delivering multiple vaccinations.
 
Keeping up-to-date with your child’s vaccinations gives them the best protection. If you’ve missed a vaccination, contact your GP to arrange a catch-up appointment as soon as possible.  
 
 
How effective are vaccines?
Vaccination is scientifically proven to be the best defence system against infectious diseases.  It’s the most important thing we can do to protect ourselves and our children.
 
The World Health Organisation estimates that 20.4 million deaths have been prevented since 2001.  It recently listed vaccine hesitancy (where people with access to vaccines delay or refuse vaccination) as one of the top 10 threats to global health.
 
Do the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks?
Yes.  Vaccines are incredibly safe.  Most side-effects are very mild (like a fever) and can be managed at home. More severe reactions are much rarer and can be managed by your GP.  The risks of not vaccinating are far greater.  For example, measles (which is highly contagious) can develop into pneumonia, brain inflammation and in rare cases, death. It also weakens your child’s immune system for a few years after the initial infection.  Since the measles vaccine was introduced in 1968, over 4,500 deaths have been prevented.
 
Why so many vaccines at once?
Scientific studies have shown that the vaccines that we use do not weaken a child’s immune system.  Combination vaccines have been developed to reduce the number of injections your child needs and the discomfort that goes along with that.  From the day your child is born, they come into contact with thousands of different bacteria and viruses.  The viruses in vaccinations are weakened or killed so are less risky but still prompt a response from the immune system.

Source: Public Health England

How will I know when my child’s vaccinations are due?
The Child Health Information Service (CHIS) for Dorset will contact you to inform you of upcoming vaccinations.
If you have not been sent a letter with a set time and date in the body of the letter you will be invited to contact your GP to book an appointment.

*Some GPs offer online appointment booking via SystmOne, please speak with your surgery to establish whether this is available for the surgery your child is registered with.
Further information can found at: systmonline.tpp-uk

Letters you receive from the Child Health Information Service may have abbreviations of immunisations, listed below are the full details of these:
 
  • Dip = Diphtheria
  • Hib = Haemophilus Influenzae Type B
  • Men B = Meningococcal Group B
  • Men C = Meningococcal Type C
  • MMR = Measles, Mumps, Rubella
  • Pert = Pertussis (whooping cough)
  • Pneu = Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV)
  • Pneu (2020) = Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV)
  • Pol = Polio
  • Rotavirus = Rotavirus
  • Routine Hep B = Hepatitis B
  • Tet = Tetanus

Areas Covered

Key Resources

Use of electronic cigarettes in pregnancy

A guide for midwives and other healthcare professionals. [Source: Smoking in Pregnancy Challenge Group]

Screening Tests for you and your Baby

Source: Public Health England

Safer sleep for babies: A guide for parents

Source: The Lullaby Trust

Safer Sleep for Babies

Safer sleep for babies, things you can do. [Source: The Lullaby Trust]

Introducing Solid Foods: Giving your baby a better start in life

Source: NHS Start for Life

Head Lice

Source: British Association of Dermatologists

COVID-19 Advice for parents when child is unwell or injured

COVID-19 Advice for parents when child is unwell or injured