Nearly 85 per cent of Haringey babies miss health check (From Haringey Independent)

Nearly 85 per cent of Haringey babies miss health check

7:40am Wednesday 29th September 2010 in Health By Tristan Kirk

MORE than 1,800 one-year-old babies in Haringey have missed out on an annual health check.

The babies were due to have a "vital" check after a year, but between August last year and January this year just 294 were seen by health professionals.

This equates to less than 15 per cent of those eligible and compares unfavourably with Bromley - the best performing - where more than 98 per cent of babies had the check-up.

The figures, obtained by the BBC, put Haringey as the second worst performing borough in the capital.

However, some boroughs including neighbouring Enfield do not offer the one-year check at all although the local health trust is considering introducing it.

NHS Haringey said priority had been given to babies on child protection lists or designated as vulnerable, and said other families had been able to request the check or access other services from health visitors or at day centres.

The Haringey Independent has contacted NHS Haringey about the figures and is awaiting a response.