NEW One stop baby health clinics are being introduced in Fife.

The clinics will see doctors join immunisation teams in community based clinics to ensure any emerging concerns are identified and managed as early as possible. The doctors will carry out the child’s six to eight week health check at the same time as they receive their eight week routine vaccine.

The health check is a screening that will check your baby’s hips, heart, eyes and – for boys – testicles. It is important to have this check to manage any concern at an early age. If your baby is older than eight weeks and they haven’t had this check, we can still see them at one of our catch-up sessions.

From the 21st May, all babies born at the start of the lockdown period will also have the opportunity to have their hearing checked at the eight week vaccine appointment. Specialist staff from the audiology department will carry out these checks.

Vaccines for babies and young children are important medical reasons to leave home and our immunisation team continues to deliver routine vaccines for babies at eight, twelve and 16 weeks, and at one year – with booster vaccines for children at around three years and four months. It is important that we keep vaccination rates as high as possible or we may see children becoming ill with diseases such as whooping cough and measles.

If you have any questions or need more information, you can get in touch with the immunisation team:

Phone: 01383 565456/Text 07900161671

Email: [email protected]

Health Visitors

You can normally see the Health Visitors at their drop-in clinic for further information please contact the Practice.

Health Visitors are all trained nurses who have extra training and qualifications in child health. They are a fantastic source of information about child development and health, parenting strategies, breastfeeding, nutrition and community support. They also offer help with social, emotional and environmental issues that affect families.

Child health checks

Appointments are sent out automatically by our local Health Board for routine child health checks.

The first will be with a GP at the surgery when your baby is around 6 weeks old. You will be sent information about this and asked to make an appointment at your local clinic or practice.

You will also be offered routine health reviews for your child, with your health visitor, at 6-8 weeks, 8-12 months and 2-2½ years old.

Child Immunisations

Immunisations are given by our Practice nurses or other Healthcare professionals in accordance with the NHS vaccine schedule. Children’s vaccinations take place every week (by appointment). These are important for children’s health so please ensure they attend the surgery.

Further information on the schedule and vaccines in general can be found on NHS Inform

When to immunise

Different vaccines are given at different ages to protect you and your child. Find out when these vaccinations are offered, and when and where they’ll be given:

Speech and Language Advice