Support from your health visitor
Health Visitors are currently operating a reduced service to manage staffing capacity and to limit the spread of infection.
You will be contacted by your Health Visitor by phone or video call when your baby is 10-14 days old and 6-8 weeks to help you, your family and your new baby stay healthy. If you haven’t heard from your Health Visitor yet, please follow this link to find contact details for your local team. For families with additional needs, you will receive support from your Health Visitor by phone/video call or by a visit to the home if appropriate.
Telephone support is still on offer and contact details for your local team can be found here. The Health Visiting service is offering a 7 day a week duty line for parents to call for support and advice. You can contact the duty line using the below number or email address:
Phone: 020 8200 2500, press option 2
Email: Clcht.childhealthinformationhubkcwf@nhs.net
Opening hours: Monday – Sunday 9am – 5pm (including bank holidays).
Support with feeding
Support with breastfeeding is still available by video call with an infant feeding Health Visitor. Email Cathy.Cannon@nhs.net and she will get back to as soon as possible.
You can find information and guidance on infant feeding during COVID-19 on the Unicef website.
Immunisations
In line with NHS England guidance, you should still attend routine childhood immunisation appointments during this period. If your child is due their vaccine, please book the required appointments but do not attend if your family is in self-isolation at the time of the appointment or has symptoms. You can call your local GP practice or health clinic to confirm that your child’s immunisation appointment is still going ahead or for reassurance. Advice for parents about routine vaccinations during coronavirus leaflet
You can find out when your child needs to have their vaccines and how to book an appointment on the NHS website.
Mental health and well being
If you as a parent are feeling anxious or low in mood, support is available by telephone or video call. Please email alice.gibson@nhs.net and the Health Visiting service will get back to you as soon as possible.
