BABIES in Southend are getting the best healthcare checks in the east of England, according to Government statistics.

The figures from Public Health England show that almost every child born in Southend receives the five vital health visits required in their first year.

The UK’s leading children’s charity, the NSPCC, has warned when the reviews do not take place it can leave parents without support and increases the risk of mental health issues with parents going undetected.

In Southend, just three per cent of the visits were missed in the past 12 months.

In the Essex County Council catchment the figure was closer to 40 per cent,

Councillor Anne Jones, cabinet member for children and learning at Southend Council, said she was “thrilled” by the findings and thanked the council’s health visiting service.

She said: “As a mother of four, I can fully endorse the necessity of visits and support.

“Becoming a parent and adapting to the responsibility, whilst also understanding the needs of this tiny person who is solely reliant upon you, can be both an exciting and daunting experience for mums and dads.

“Our health visiting team supports parents with advice and support around the physical, developmental and emotional health needs of the family.

A spokesman from Better Start Southend added: “Reviews are key in providing families with support and information regarding family health, health-enhancing activities and health promotion, and we are very happy that these checks, which are undertaken by our partners at Southend Council, are received by over 96 per cent of Southend’s families.”

Essex County Council has the worst record in the region.

A spokesman said: “These figures do not share the whole picture, nor provide any context as to how new mothers are supported in Essex.

“The wellbeing of all new mothers and their children is our priority and our approach, which is in line with national requirements, focuses on engaging with mothers in the right way for them, based on their circumstances and what they tell us they want from services. It is vital that all services provided are shaped around the individual needs of a parents and in addition to the five checks within the first 12 months following birth, we continue to explore new ways in which we can support families.”