The child health clinic: results of a new strategy of community care in a deprived area

Abstract

Substantial changes were made in the organisation of a child health clinic serving an underprivileged population in Nottingham. A community paediatric team approach was adopted, routine medical checks were reduced, and referrals from elsewhere (including parents) were encouraged. The changes resulted in an older and more deprived population of preschool children being seen by the clinic doctors. More treatable medical disorders were detected with this approach.