All students entering government or private schools for the first time in Cayman are required to have health screenings.

“This must be done before the new school year begins in September,” said School Health Coordinator Nurse Joanna Rose-Wright.

The screening comprises a growth and development assessment, screening for vision and hearing, a dental assessment, a review and administering of necessary immunisations and obtaining personal medical history.

The screenings are done by the Public Health Department and are free to all students: For students entering schools in West Bay and the Eastern districts, health screenings will be done at the district health centres from 1 – 30 June 2012.

For all other students, health screenings will take place at John Gray and George Hicks Medical Centre from 4 July to 31 August 2012.

Appointments can be made at the school the child will be attending. Nurse Rose-Wright reminds parents and guardians that they need to accompany their children to the health screening. They should also bring the child’s immunization record.

“Vaccines will be offered to children whose immunisations are not up-to-date. A health screening certificate will then be issued which is to be taken to the child’s school,” she explained.

Parents may have their child’s health screenings done by a private doctor, as long as they ensure that he or she completes the school health screening forms provided by the Public Health Department.

The completed forms should be handed in at the John Gray Medical Centre between 4 July and 31 August, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Outside of these dates, the forms can be taken to the Cayman Islands Hospital’s Public Health Clinic. Once the record has been received, a health screening certificate will be issued which then must be taken to the school that the child is entering.

In Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, appointments for school entry screenings can be made by contacting Public Health Nurse Nelsie Jones at Faith Hospital on 948-2243.

Detailed information sheets for parents and guardians are available at the schools. For more information, please contact Nurse Rose-Wright at 244-2734 or 244-2648, or John Gray’s medical centre at 949-2501.