The Department of Health has released an annual bulletin detailing the coverage and timeliness of preschool health contacts across Northern Ireland.
This publication covers the 2025/26 period, which follows the timeframe established in the original 2010 Healthy Child, Healthy Future (HCHF) framework.
Although a refreshed version of the HCHF framework was published in September 2025, the current statistics reflect the earlier guidelines for this reporting year.
The data is drawn from extractions provided by the Health and Social Care Trusts on a quarterly basis.
A three-month lag remains inherent in the administrative systems used to compile these figures before they are made public.
The six scheduled pre-school health reviews include the New Baby Review, conducted between ten and fourteen days after birth.
Subsequent contacts occur at six to eight weeks, followed by visits at fourteen to sixteen weeks.
Further engagements take place during the nine-month period, at one year of age, and again between two and two-and-a-half years old.
Each review is designed to be carried out in the family home, though health centre or group settings may be used where appropriate.
Health Visitors are qualified nurses who have undergone additional training specifically in community and child health services.
The framework is recognised as central to improving child health outcomes and ensuring every young person receives the best possible start in life.
These statistics serve as a key indicator of the programme's progress in delivering universal access to early childhood care.