Source · Select Committees · Health and Social Care Committee
Recommendation 13
13
Accepted
Paragraph: 86
Introduce annual holistic health and wellbeing assessments for all children and young people.
Conclusion
We propose that, in line with the introduction of Integrated Care Systems which seek to tackle health inequalities and focus on prevention, the Department ought to bolster the Healthy Child Programme, the programme for prevention and public health of children and young people aged 0–19-year-old and their families. We propose that the Government introduce annual holistic health and wellbeing assessments for every child and young person, using the existing workforce of school nurses, health visitors, as well as those in associated roles such as community paediatrics and primary care. These assessments should monitor a range of physical and mental health markers including, but not limited to, weight and mental wellbeing. They should provide an opportunity to explore the context in which the young person and their family live, how these circumstances can relate to their health. They should aim to engage the wider family (if appropriate, depending on age) to ensure early detection of potential health risks, with signposting to appropriate services if required.
Government Response Summary
The government details existing work by OHID on person-centred language for obesity and the Better Health campaign, and mentions that the National Child Measurement Programme is trialling new approaches to help parents and professionals discuss weight supportively. However, it does not commit to introducing annual holistic health and wellbeing assessments for every child or specifically bolstering the Healthy Child Programme.
Paragraph Reference:
86
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
OHID uses a person-centred approach when writing about obesity and is guided by organisations such as Obesity UK ’s Obesity Language Matters Guide and the principles of good practice for interactions between healthcare professionals and people living with obesity. OHID also researches and advises how best to talk to families about their weight in the most enabling and positive way. OHID ’s Better Health adult obesity campaign was developed with guidance from public health experts. OHID has also liaised with appropriate organisations, including a consultant psychiatrist, a charity working with people living with obesity and relevant physical activity organisations. In addition, OHID has worked with the charity Beat to ensure that feedback from those living with eating disorders is fed into the campaigning process. Campaign materials are extensively researched to ensure that the campaign is not seen as judgemental or blaming and does not stigmatise people for how they live their lives. The people featured in the campaign are shown positively – making manageable changes to improve their health. The main tool to which we guide those who are overweight or living with obesity is the NHS Weight Loss Plan app , which asks users to enter their height and weight as part of the set-up process and, if they are a healthy weight or are underweight, they receive a message explaining that this weight loss tool is not appropriate for them. Better Health’s information on children’s weight now includes evidence-based tips to help parents talk about weight and healthy growth with their child, if they choose to, and the National Child Measurement Programme ( NCMP ) is trialling new approaches and resources to help parents and healthcare professionals talk about weight in a supportive way via an ‘extended brief intervention’ as part of the child and family weight management services grant . The NCMP updates annual operational guidance for all delivery staff, including school nursing teams, to ensure measurements are conducted in a sensitive and non-stigmatising way. OHID has also developed guidance to support practitioners delivering the programme locally to engage in supportive conversations with parents about the NCMP and their child’s health.