Digital eRedbook

Digital innovation launch will transform early child health records

We are proud to announce the launch of the area’s first eRedbook in Southend, following a collaboration with the Mid and South Essex Health and Care Partnership (MSEHCP), for which Provide was a lead partner.

From April 26^th, 2021, the new digital eRedbook will be available as an alternative to the paper Red Book used by parents to record childhood health records since the 1990s. Accessible via an app or online portal, the eRedbook will allow a full suite of health and development records to be viewed and updated remotely by health professionals, with the additional capability to interact with and support parents digitally. As well as having access to tailored, real-time information,  parents will be able to add their own early years health information, alongside key developmental milestones.

Following the Southend launch, the eRedbook will be rolled out across Essex in 2021/22.

Mark Heasman, Group Chief Executive of Provide said, “This initiative will make a huge difference to the delivery of the Healthy Child Programme, not just in the way parents can access their children’s health records, but to enable us to deliver new ways of supporting parents and children with personalised information and advice at the touch of a button.

“For our teams, the eRedbook will enable them to have instant access to up-to-date information on the children they work with to provide the most appropriate support and information. We’re delighted that from now on, no parent will have to worry about losing or damaging paper records, and they will have a permanent, accessible account of their child’s health and development from birth to adulthood.”

Hannah Barber, maternity lead at Mid and South Essex University Hospitals Group said, “The eRedbook is a huge step-change for new parents to enable them to access important records about their baby’s health and development from a mobile app. Giving parents a resource to manage interactive data and access real-time information and guidance as their child grows is particularly exciting and we are thrilled to see Southend as the first area in Essex to launch the technology.”

Frequently asked questions:

What is eRedbook?

The eRedbook is a digital version of the paper red book given to parents when a baby is born. It enables parents to find out more about their baby’s development through NHS.uk guidance articles tailored to their baby’s age, allows parents to record and track their baby’s weight and create a safe, long term record of their baby’s health and development. It also provides information on what tests, checks and immunisations are offered as part of the Healthy Child Programme with important data such as immunisation details, screening tests and clinic recorded weights directly into the parent’s eRedbook.

Is eRedbook secure?

NHS Login ensures secure authentication of parents so that at birth, birth notification data can flow directly into the eRedbook from the NHS thus automatically creating a secure baby record with automated updates. eRedbook data is held in a secure cloud environment in the EU in line with strict NHS security rules.

How does a parent get their eRedbook?

Parents-to-be will find out about eRedbook antenatally from their Midwives or postnatally from Health Visitors.

How can parents create an account?

Parents must create their accounts using NHS Login to receive NHS child health data. If the parent has signed up to eRedbook antenatally and is the birth mother of the child, the eRedbook will automatically populate with the child’s birth details from the NHS once the child is born. There is no need for the Midwife to do anything to connect the account. If the parent has signed up postnatally or is the primary carer and not the birth mother of the child, the account will need to be vouched by a Midwife or Health Visitor in the community to connect it.

How does eRedbook become connected to the NHS?

An eRedbook becomes connected to the NHS in one of three ways: NHS Login, Vouching in Maternity or Vouching in the Community. If a parent has had their eRedbook connected by NHS Login/birth message no further action is needed.

How does data appear in the eRedbook?

GPs and Practice Nurses do not have to enter any data into eRedbook. All Primary Care entered data that appears in the parent’s eRedbook flows directly from clinical systems.

Can parents add their own information?

A registered parent has the ability to add and upload weight data, notes, photos and milestones such as first tooth or words.

Can more than one parent or carer use eRedbook?

Only one parent can be connected directly to a child’s account in eRedbook, and wherever possible this is the birth mother. However, records can be digitally shared with approved family members.

Is eRedbook replacing the paper red book?

The paper red book will always remain an option for parents who do not want or are unable to go electronic.

Where can I find out more?

You can see more information at https://www.eredbook.org.uk/