Development Check

Health care here in the UK is free. Everyone must be registered to a GP surgery (clinic) in their  catchment area and assigned to a General Practitioner. Hospitalization and any take home meds are also free (you will have to pay for your usual meds of course, unless you're exempted). And if a woman becomes pregnant she will be assigned a midwife who would be looking after you throughout your pregnancy (unless it is a complicated pregnancy, then the GP would be more involved). Once you have given birth, your baby will be under the care of your own GP plus a Health visitor. One of the health visitors will visit you at home to check on how you are getting on. They will also check the baby to see if he is gaining weight and that everything is ok. They are there to give you advice on breastfeeding, nappies, sleeping or anything about looking after your new baby. They will come to visit you as long as you need them or as long as they feel it is necessary. Apart from this they also have clinics that you could visit weekly, again to have your baby weighed and if you have any questions. I found this really useful, coz being away from home, I needed all the support that I could get.

All newborn babies are given this red book

They did a development check when Poj was under a year old and we recently went for his 2-year check. It was really relaxed and informal, they just checked if he is up to date with his vaccines, if he had a hearing test done when he was born and if we have any concerns with his hearing and eyesight, they asked about his sleeping patterns, discussed his diet and they also asked if he goes to nursery & where. They also asked if he was already talking and how much. They did the usual weight & height measurement, observed his behaviour, checked how he solves puzzles, name the characters in each set (animals, cars, fruits etc )  and what he'll do with the little blocks given to him. They also asked him to draw lines and circles. 
I have raised my only concern which is his lack of appetite and they've advised me what to do (which I'm happy to say has worked, yay!) After writing her report and signing Poj's (red) record book,  the lady gave me leaflets about iron, what the recommended iron intake should be and a list of food with their corresponding iron content. She also gave me leaflets and talked me through potty training (we've just started this and again he's been an absolute star!  But we still a long way to go, so wish us luck).  All in all it was a good consultation, it was great to have a confirmation that he is on the right track and we are doing the right things.


And before going home, like they did on his previous check, they again gave Poj a bag of goodies... We went home a happy pair!

Bag filled with Books, crayons, sketch pad etc