The Health Visiting service is provided in the community
by Primary Care Trusts.
What is the aim of the service?
The aim of the service is to promote the health of the whole
community, promoting healthy lifestyles and addressing concerns
about physical and mental health and well-being.
Who are Health Visitors?
Health Visitors are an integral part of the NHS community health
services. All Health Visitors are qualified nurses and/or
midwives, with additional specialist training and experience in
Child Health, Health promotion and Education.
They offer practical support and advice in diverse situations.
Health Visitors, as nurses, are subject to a professional code of
conduct which requires them to act in the best interests of
the client.
What services do they offer?
All families with a child under 5 have a named Health
Visitor or Health Visiting Team who can advise on all aspects
of care.
For example:
- behaviour;
- feeding;
- immunisation;
- parenting;
- sleeping;
- special needs;
- teething.
Health Visitors also support the whole family and can help with
benefits, employment, role of fathers, local support groups,
leisure activities, childcare options, support for single parents,
domestic violence, addressing conflicts within the family, support
with parenting, home safety and much more.
Health Visitors also refer to other agencies for specialist help
with problems such as bereavement, disability, unemployment,
housing and homelessness, mental health (including post-natal
depression).
Some Health Visitors run health promotion groups and clinics
such as child health, healthy eating / lifestyle, stop smoking,
parenting and baby massage.
Health Visitors can also advise on:
- contraception;
- depression;
- disability;
- isolation;
- menopause;
- pregnancy;
- sexual health.
Health Visitors implement a "Child Health Promotion Programme"
together with other Primary Health Care Practitioners. They also
specialise in "early intervention", Identifying vulnerable families
to prevent likely problems. This includes ante-natal assessments in
collaboration with Midwives and GP's.
Health Visitors contribute to the Child Protection process
through referrals, attendance at case conferences and core groups;
and as part of the child protection plan for individual
children.
Health Visiting services are universal but also 'targeted' to
provide more support to 'vulnerable families.'
Health Visitors liaise closely with other agencies in their
communities, particularly with nurseries, playgroups and
schools.
Health Visitors undertake many interesting and useful projects
relating to their work. These provide opportunities for sharing
information and experience to aid service development.
Where do Health Visitors work?
Health Visitors are the most accessible health professionals
working in the community. They are based in GP Surgeries, Health
Centres, Child Health Clinics or Childrens' Centres.