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The RCPCH has issued a statement regarding the paper PCHR and the eRedbook project as stated below:

“The RCPCH has a keen interest in how effectively the content of the Personal Child Health Record  is made available in digital format. For this reason the College has agreed a set of standards for software development to provide a framework for suppliers interested in providing an electronic version of the record.

The RCPCH is working with one such supplier – Sitekit – to evaluate the usability and benefits of a prototype version of an ePCHR. This prototype is called the ‘eRedbook’. Sitekit have partnered with Harlow Printing Ltd,  who print the current PCHR and the initial development has been funded through, Microsoft, a Technology Strategy Board project called ‘Year Zero’ and economic development funding from Highlands and Islands Enterprise board (HIE).

Development of the eRedbook is handled through a specially convened Clinical Advisory Group and the inter-collegiate Personal Child Health Record Committee. The eRedbook is currently available through NHS Partner sites during evaluation, these sites are Liverpool Community Health, and NHS South Warwickshire. Those interested in knowing more can find information on the eRedbook at https://eredbook.org.uk/  NHS partners wishing to get involved in the project should contact info@eredbook.org.”

“There is no intention to withdraw the paper PCHR as it is important that parents have a choice in how they access information.”

iGrow-software has now been installed in 3 hospital and community trusts with great success. We are also in advance talks to implement the system in 4 other NHS trusts over the next few weeks. Interest is growing in iGrow as the only system capable of integrating with Electronic Patient Record (EPR) systems that produces plotted data points on the national standards charts. It also incorporates the Down’s syndrome charts as well as the latest BMI charts. Why not give us a call for a demonstration of its capabilities, tel 0191 4554286.

We are proud to announce that John Short our Marketing Director who retired in April 2013 will be awarded with an Honorary Fellowship of the RCPCH. This is in recognition of his commitment and hard work in helping the RCPCH design, produce and publish the new National Standard growth charts for the UK. John is to be given this award at the RCPCH conference at the ICC in Birmingham this April. We would like to congratulate John on this fabulous achievement. We shall be there with him to celebrate as well as exhibit at the conference on the 8-10th April.

On December 11^th 2013 Public Health England [PHE] published the National Child Measurement Programme figures for 2012/2013 showing, for the first time, that 11yr old obesity levels appear to be falling. Welcome though this may be, the Child Growth Foundation was quick to point out in the national press coverage, that the government shouldn’t be too cocky about the figures and similar figures over the next two years are required before it can break open the champagne. For the Foundation, the really satisfying news however is that its Leicester Height Measure is used in the NCMP and is its equipment of choice. It is featured on p1 of the PHE announcement. See Link = [https://www.gov.uk/government/news/latest-phe-national-child-measurement-programme-figures-available].

This means that the Leicester has been continuously “recommended” by the Department of Health since the Programme’s inception in 2005. It was the equipment used in the video made by the Department to train every school nurse working on the Programme and is featured in the NCMP Guidance documents issued every year [https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/251917/NCMP-guidance-October-2013-2.pdf]. Though different scales are used for recording NCMP weights, when it comes to height assessment, the Leicester is without peer in its ability to deliver the pinpoint accuracy needed to assess height and BMI [Body Mass Index].

Whilst many other health programmes have seen their funding cut or cancelled altogether, funding for the NCMP is guaranteed.  It is regarded as the jewel in the crown of the NHS’ public health programme and is the envy of the world. Although the NCMP assesses children’s growth only at reception Yr and Yr 6 in primary school, obesity specialists want to see the school nursing services extend it to cover at least another school year. With growth measurement now being a requirement when a child is 2 -2½yrs old it should also be an investment for health visiting services as well.

Article by Tam Fry FRSA, Honorary Chairman Child Growth Foundation & Spokesman for National Obesity Forum

View the Leicester Height Measure