Launching in 2024, the NSW Digital Baby Book will provide parents, carers and clinicians with a digital record of a child’s health, development and immunisation information.
The majority of a child’s brain structure develops in the first 2000 days of their life (from pregnancy until their 5th birthday). This time has a huge impact on how a child grows, develops and learns. Evidence shows that a child’s experiences in the first 2000 days of their life can predict their educational outcomes, the probability of doing well in employment and relationships, and their chance of having chronic disease as an adult.
Evidence also shows that certain interventions in the first 2000 days can improve a child’s long-term outcomes. It is important that parents and clinicians have access to information and tools to support children during this time.
Partnering to give children the best start
eHealth NSW is collaborating with NSW Government partners, clinicians, parents and carers to develop the NSW Digital Baby Book. This work forms part of a NSW whole-of-government initiative, led by the Department of Education, to give all children in NSW the best start in life.
When a child is born in NSW, parents receive a My Personal Health Record Book (known as the Blue Book). Parents, carers and clinicians use this paper-based book to record the child’s health and development information.
The NSW Digital Baby Book will provide a digital option for this record. For families, this means easier access to, and better control over, their child’s health information. It will feature a schedule of a child’s health and development checks and immunisations, with reminders to help busy families navigate this process. It will also have questionnaires and information for parents including the milestone monitoring tool (Learn the Signs, Act Early).
Empowering parents and carers
Providing families with the information they need, when they need it, empowers them to partner with healthcare providers in their child’s care. It will also help to open the pathways to extra care and early interventions for those who need it.
This resource can support clinician decision-making and improved care for families. Increasing the capacity for families and health professionals to work together to build a digital health record from birth will help clinicians predict the potential long-term health outcomes of children, and act early with families to improve the health of their children for life. The initiative is expected to support future integration with the National My Health Record.
What's next?
The NSW Digital Baby Book is an exciting step towards enhancing the quality of children’s care in NSW. The program will be delivered in phases over 3 years, with the first release due in 2024.
For more information visit the NSW Digital Baby Book solutions page.
The news item above is included in our eHealth NSW July 2023 newsletter.
Download the July 2023 newsletter
