Health Visiting Service

Health visitors are registered nurses or midwives with a specialist qualification in public health who help to give every baby the best start in life. They provide extra support for families who may need it, build on families’ strengths and connect them to the right support.

There are several key stages in your child’s life when the health visiting service will contact you for an appointment:
• before your baby is born (antenatal visit)
• new birth visit (between 10 and 14 days after the birth of your baby)
• six to eight week visit
• when your child is between eight and 12 months old
• when your child is between two and two-and-a-half years old

Health visitors offer a range of services both at home and in child health clinics. They provide health promotion advice on immunisation, breastfeeding, healthy weight gain, introducing solid foods, parenting skills, vitamin D supplements, safe sleeping, parental health and wellbeing, home safety and accident prevention.

Through your journey with our health visiting team you may come into contact with health visitors, community staff nurses, child development workers, health visiting support and development workers and senior nursing assistants. Our staff will see you in your home, at a children's centre, health centre or GP practice.