To ask the Minister of Health for an update on the review of Healthy Child, Healthy Future.

My Department agreed a review and update of the Healthy Child, Healthy Future (HCHF) programme in October 2018 to take account of the evidence provided in the Fifth edition of ‘Health for All Children’ and further evidence which has emerged since its publication in 2019. While this key strategic review was delayed due to the pandemic response, work commenced in February 2022 and has progressed at pace.

The structure of the review has been formalised with the Programme Board and Programme Team having met several times in the last 6 months. Working Groups have been established to cover three key areas:

Working Group 1– Pre-conception and Pregnancy

Working Group 2 – Pre-school (0 to age at primary school entry)

Working Group 3 – School Aged (age at primary school entry to 19 years)

The Groups have the capacity to work to scrutinise the recommendations in line with current procedure and practice since their memberships are drawn from representatives of those professions that deliver the HCHF programme. This includes nursing and midwifery representatives from each Trust, with additional input from a range of other health professional groups and Education professionals.

Engagement workshops have taken place within Trusts, for Health Visitors and School Nurses, with regional workshops also held for Midwives, Health Visitor managers and School nursing managers. A Regional Survey has been disseminated to all relevant Practitioners with the feedback being analysed currently. Further Engagement workshops have taken place with the voluntary/community sector and SureStart staff supported by the Public Health Agency (PHA). Service users have been represented from the onset and views are being captured through Care Opinion.

It is anticipated that the Review and update of the HCHF programme will be completed in January 2023