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Review health assessment (RHA)
Every 6 months (for under 5 year olds) or every year (for children and young people aged 5 to 18) the specialist children in care nurses will see you at home to complete your review health assessment. We can also see you in your school or a clinic if you would prefer.
The health assessment is so we can make sure that you are healthy and happy. We will talk to you about your lifestyle, physical health and your emotions and mental wellbeing.
Explore the topics on this page:
What will happen at the assessment
We will talk to you about your health. The discussion is led by you and what is important to you. Things we usually discuss are:
- diet and exercise
- sleep
- mental health
- school or college
- development and skill building
- emotional wellbeing
- seeing your family
- any other important health appointments you may have had
Depending on your age, you can choose if you want to speak to the nurse alone or have someone with you, such as a carer, teacher, your social worker, sibling, or friend.
The specialist nurse will also be able to measure your weight and height to check how much you are growing.
Chat with the nurse
You'll have a chat with the nurse about what has been happening in your life and how you have been feeling recently. We know it can be hard but try to be as honest as you can with us. The nurses are here to help and support you and will not judge you.
This is a great time to talk about your worries or ask any questions. It can be about anything from what you should be eating to conversations about relationships and sex or vaping and drugs. If the nurse is unable to answer your questions during the chat, they will help you find the right person or organisation who can help you.
Some areas of the discussion may be difficult. But we will be led by you and what you want to talk about. Remember, our nurses know a lot of children and young people. So, whatever you tell us will not surprise, shock or embarrass us.
The chat you have with the nurse is private and confidential. We may need to share information to professionals such as your GP, social worker and other health professionals who are involved in looking after you. You can let us know if there are things that you do not want us to share. But, if you tell us something that means you or someone else are not safe, we must tell someone. We will always talk to you before doing this, and if you have any questions about this your nurse can explain it to you.
Health report
After the assessment, the nurse will write a health report. This report will contain information about your chat and your physical health. The report will tell other people involved in your care how to best meet your health needs.
The report will be sent to your GP, social worker and health professionals who are involved in your care. This report will be added to the health records which can be accessed by your child's health visitor or school nurse.
You can let us know if there's anything you would not like to be included within the health report.
Next steps after the health assessment
We will come and see you again in 6 or 12 months. If we have identified that you need support with specific health needs, we may liaise with different professionals such as the ones mentioned above to make sure these needs are met.
In between our appointments you may still have contact with other professionals such as the health visitor, school nurse, paediatrician, mental health support, or other health professionals.
Still worried about something?
Do you have any questions you didn't get to ask? It's not too late.
Some people may not feel comfortable talking to the doctor or nurse face-to-face about their worries or concerns. If you still have worries or questions, you can ask a nurse on ChatHealth.
ChatHealth is a secure and confidential text messaging service. This means that we will not tell anyone about what you send us. So you can talk to us about all sorts of issues like bullying, relationships, drugs, alcohol and much more.
Last reviewed: 1 November, 2024
