The school doctor.

Care after the child health centre

When your child starts school the care and file from the child health centre are transferred to the school doctor, also called the youth doctor. The school doctor works for the public health service and sometimes visits the school.

What does the school doctor do?

The school doctor follows your child’s development. During school your child will get three invitations for a visit: when the child is 5, 9, and 14 years old. The school doctor or school nurse checks social, emotional, and motor skills. They also test hearing and sight. When the child is 9 years old they can also get the second MMR vaccine (mumps, measles, rubella). If there are concerns about development the school doctor can refer to a specialist and gives advice and information to parents and school. Your child does not have to visit the school doctor. If you do not respond to the invitation a note is made in the digital file. Sometimes the school can ask the youth doctor for advice, but this must be discussed with parents first. Informing the youth doctor about details also happens only with permission from the student and parents.

Digital file

The school doctor stores the collected data in the digital file called ‘Youth health care’. The doctor must do this by law according to the medical treatment agreement law. This law also says who can see the file without permission. As a parent you have rights like the right to see the file and to ask for corrections. The data in this file cannot be shared with others without your permission. The school cannot access this file.