Every family with children under five has a named health visitor. Our role is to offer support and encouragement to families through the early years from pregnancy and birth, to primary school and beyond to support you to stay healthy and avoid illness.

Clinics

When you become pregnant you will have a named health visitor assigned to you and you will receive a home visit before the baby is born. Your health visitor will let you know about the child health promotion programme and when to expect routine contact from the health visitor team. Contact details will be provided for services that can help or advise you as required. 

Your care

We work with parents and carers to ensure that children have the best start in life and are able to achieve their full potential.

Health visitor teams include nursery nurses and staff nurses. We provide a wide-ranging service to children and their families and we can also refer you to other services to support you with more specialist problems.

We offer support and information directly to parents and their children about:

• Family health and wellbeing including support for mothers with postnatal depression
• Infant feeding with special knowledge of breast feeding
• Parenting
• A child’s growth and development – including advice for a child who is either underweight or overweight
• Common childhood infections/illnesses and immunisation
• Common skin problems
• Language development and early learning guidance
• Behavioural difficulties including sleeping, eating, potty training, temper tantrums
• Healthy eating, play, safety and exercise
• Accident prevention
• Acting as key worker for young children with disabilities

We can also advise you of local child health clinics, support groups and parenting groups which can provide up to date information about bringing up your family as well as opportunities to meet other parents.

The team

Health visitors work with midwives, GPs, Sure Start children's centres and local community and voluntary services. 

We also work jointly with other groups, including schools, children’s services and children’s charities, to safeguard and promote the welfare of children so they are protected from significant harm.

Contacts

You can contact your health visitor through your GP surgery.

Useful links

NHS Direct

Sure Start

NHS Choices

The Baby Friendly Initiative

La Leche League Great Britain

Information provided on this website about child development is based on research, but it is only a guide. If you have any concerns regarding your child's health or development, then please contact your health visitor or GP

Please click on the following links for more information on our maternity services and children’s services.