Publication of ‘Healthy Child, Healthy Future - Health Review Statistics for Northern Ireland 2024/25’
Date published:
The Department of Health has today published ‘Healthy Child, Healthy Future - Health Review Statistics for Northern Ireland 2024/25’. This annual publication details the coverage and timeliness of preschool health contacts. It reports on the Healthy Child, Healthy Future framework which sets out a programme of child health contacts that every family in Northern Ireland can expect.
Key Facts and Figures:
- This publication includes coverage and timing of six pre-school health reviews; the New Baby Review (10-14 days after birth); 6-8 Week Review; 14-16 Week Review; 6-9 Month Contact; Health Review 1 Year; and the 2 – 2 ½ Year Health Review.
- During 2024/25, Health Visitors were expected to have completed 119,027 reviews of children across Northern Ireland for the above six pre-school health reviews.
- Some 103,878 of these (87%) were completed within the recommended time frame (contact on time).
- An additional 8% (9,956) were completed, but outside the recommended time frame (contact early or late).
- Some 4% of the reviews did not take place.
- The publication does not capture information on why reviews were completed outside of the recommended timeframe or had not taken place, however where issues are known these will be set out in the publication.
- The figures presented in this bulletin are derived from Child Health System extractions provided by the HSC Trusts.
Notes to editors:
- his information was collated by Community Information Branch within the Department of Health.
- Healthy Child, Healthy Future (HCHF) 2010 is a framework for the universal Child Health Promotion Programme within Northern Ireland. It is recognised as being central to improving child health across a range of issues and giving every child and young person the best start in life. The Department published a refreshed HCHF framework in September 2025 Healthy Child Healthy Future | Department of Health. Future versions of this statistical publication may be based on the refreshed 2025 Healthy Child Healthy Future framework; however, for 2024/25 the information follows the timeframe set out in the 2010 framework.
- A health review will take place in the family home; however, when appropriate, contacts can also take place in a health centre and/or in a group setting. Health Visitors are qualified nurses who have taken further training in Community & Child Health. Health Visitors work with individuals, families and groups whilst liaising closely with midwives, practice nurses and GPs.
- The statistics are collected quarterly from the Health and Social Care Trusts with a built in three month lag to ensure the administrative systems have been updated.
- This publication is available online at: Health review statistics for pre-school children | Department of Health (health-ni.gov.uk).
- Similar statistics relating to the year 2025/26 are due for release in October 2026.
- Further information is available from:
Community Information Branch
Department of Health
Room 11, Annexe 2,
Castle Buildings,
Stormont Belfast BT4 3SP
E-mail: cib@health-ni.gov.uk
Internet: Department of Health - For media queries, please contact the DoH Press Office by email: pressoffice@health-ni.gov.uk
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