Baby Immunisations and Child Surveillance
A programme of health and developmental screening is carried out by the Health Visitors in conjunction with the Doctors and Practice Nurses. Parents are invited to register their new baby for child health surveillance which continues until the child is five years old. The Health Visitors and Nursery Nurse also provide a drop-in clinic every Thursday morning from 9.00-12.00. This gives parents the opportunity to have their baby weighed and measured and to raise any questions they may have on topics such as breast feeding, weaning, immunisations and all general childcare issues.
Sure Start also provides a range of activities for the under 5s locally: Children's Centre Area Activity and Group Session Planner. For further information on looking after your child’s needs, and a range of activities and groups locally, please peruse Bideford Bay’s Children’s Centre website:
http://www.bidefordbaychildrenscentre.org.uk/
Immunisation is a vital and safe way to protect your baby or child from communicable serious diseases such as whooping cough, measles or meningitis C to name but a few. BMC strongly recommends all children follow the Childhood Immunisation Programme to protect their health, should you have any concerns please do not hesitate to make an appointment with the Treatment Room or your GP to discuss your concerns. The NHS has many useful booklets which act as guides to childhood immunisations and address many frequently asked questions. See the link below: