Preventive Healthcare for Young Children in General Practice

Despite the introduction of a GP-led child health assessment in 2008, and high levels of preventable health problems that can affect children life-long, young children continue to miss out on a core aspect of general practice – preventive healthcare. My research applied rigorous scientific methods to understand and overcome the barriers that operated, and, through education, practical changes and planning for health outcomes, devised an intervention that made each member of the general practice team more accountable for preventive health delivery. A team-based approach to child preventive healthcare makes improving the health trajectories of our most vulnerable a reality.