Contacting children's health and children's centre services

For information, advice or support about your child’s health or development, contact the Health Business Centre. Our telephone service operates as a voicemail and callback service. When you call, please leave a voicemail with your details and the reason for your call. A member of our Clinical Duty Team will review your message and contact you as soon as possible.

The clinical team can:

• answer questions about your child’s health or development
• give health advice and information
• help decide if your child needs extra support or assessment

If more support is needed, we will contact your local health visiting team to arrange this.

Our advisors can also help you:

• book, change or cancel health appointments
• manage appointments for you or your child

Contact details

Telephone: 0345 607 8866

Email: childrenshealth@suffolk.gov.uk

When you contact us

Our phone line can be busy during the day. You may need to leave a voicemail.

Please include:

• your name
• your date of birth
• your postcode
• a brief reason for your call

This information helps us identify your health record and ensure your enquiry is directed to the most appropriate member of the team.

We aim to return all voicemails on the same working day. If you call late in the afternoon, we will return your call the next working day.

Opening hours

Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (excluding bank holidays)

Health Visiting, Health and Children’s Centres in Suffolk

Health Visiting Teams work closely with our Health and Children’s Centre services. They support families with children under 5 to help them stay safe, happy and healthy.

Services are provided through:

• Family Hubs
• outreach services, bringing support to you

Our teams include:

• health visitors
• community staff nurses
• healthy child practitioners
• health and children’s centre advisers

Activities and support may include:

• child health clinics
• infant massage
• postnatal groups (Early Days)
• HENRY 
• stay and play sessions
• parenting support groups
• advice on money, training and employment
• infant feeding support
• outreach services

Find your nearest Family Hub.

Find out more about Family Hubs.

If you are worried about a child’s safety

If you are concerned about an immediate risk to a child call Customer First on 0808 800 4005.

In an emergency call the Police on 999. 

Reporting a child at risk of harm, abuse or neglect (safeguarding)

If you are concerned about an immediate risk to the safety of a child please call Customer First on 0808 800 4005.

In an emergency, call the Police on 999.

Contacting us online

We are now starting to make some of our services available online to make access easier and more convenient.

You can access our SystmConnect page directly by clicking the green button at the bottom of this page, then ‘Self Referral’ and selecting the service you wish to access.

What can you contact us about?

You can submit an online form to raise any concerns you may have regarding your child up to the age of 5 years. These requests will be reviewed, and a clinician will contact you via your preferred contact method within 2 working days. You will find an online form for the following:

• Behaviour
• Walking and sitting
• Meeting milestones
• Feeding
• Hearing
• Parental mental health
• Sleep
• Speech
• Clinic appointment request
• Any other concerns

For additional information on Clinic appointment requests see our webpage for Child Health Clinics and Self Weigh

If you are still having problems accessing the SystmConnect page you can still contact us via phone or email.

When can I contact you?

You can submit an online form anytime; however, our working hours are Monday – Friday 8-5 and messages will not be read or responded to outside of these hours.

If you require an immediate response, for example if your baby is unwell call, your GP or call 111 or 999.

How can I contact you?

There are 3 ways to log in:

1. NHS App - This is the easiest way as it will pre-fill your personal details. If you don't already have the app set up find out how to get started with the NHS app.

2. SystmOnline - If you have already registered with your GP for this service, you can use your login for this. If not, contact your GP.

3. Manual – If you have not registered for either of the above services, you will be able to manually enter your personal details

Once you have accessed the SystmConnect page, select 'Self Referral' and select the appropriate button for your concern. Remember, if your concern is about your child, please ensure you complete the Your Details section by selecting Someone else and completing both yours and your child’s information.

Watch this video to see how the system is used:

What if I need help with the system?

If you are still having problems using SystmConnect, please call us on 0345 607 8866 or via email: Childrenshealth@suffolk.gov.uk.