Child Health Surveillance - Introduction

The Child Health Information Team (CHIT) was established within ISD Scotland during 1999 as a centralised team for information concerning the health of children in Scotland. One of the team's principal objectives is to facilitate better use of the data collected by the child health surveillance systems.

Child health surveillance is a programme of care initiated and provided by professionals with the aim of preventing illness and promoting good health and development.  There are currently three child health information systems, which are designed to ensure that children receive the appropriate immunisation and surveillance services.  These are:

Child Health Systems Programme - Pre-School (CHSP PS): a call/recall system, which facilitates the process of Child Health Surveillance and records the results of surveillance examinations from shortly after birth until school entry. 

Child Health Systems Programme - School (CHSP S): facilitates call/recall of primary and secondary school pupils for examination, immunisation, referral and follow up. 

Scottish Immunisation Recall System (SIRS): facilitates call/recall of children for the routine childhood immunisations.

The systems allow recording of crucial information such as a child's development, immunisation status, diagnoses, treatment and service needs.  Each system can be linked by CHI (Community Health Index) providing a full surveillance programme.  These systems and the Support Needs System make up the Child Health Systems Programme and are steered by the Child Health Systems Programme Board.  The systems are developed and maintained by ATOS Origin.