Who are Health Visitors
Health visitors are registered nurses or midwives with a specialist qualification in public health. They work with families who have children between the ages of 0 and five.
Lewisham health visiting services are provided by Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, and our health visitors work in five teams, across the Borough.
What your Health Visitor will offer you.
There are five key stages in your child’s development when you will be contacted by your health visitor:
- Before your baby is born (when you are around 30 weeks’ pregnant)
- New birth visit – between days eight and 14
- Six to eight week visit
- Seven to 12 month developmental review
- Two to two and a half years developmental review
Each health visiting team runs a child health clinic, which you can attend with your under five’s for advice, support and weighing. You do not need to make an appointment to attend the child health clinics, which are held in a variety of venues including GP practices and children’s centres.
Throughout your journey with your health visiting team you will have contact with:
- Health Visitor
- Health Visitor Assistant Practitioners
- Support Workers
Some of our health visitors have undergone further training to become specialist practice teachers. This means they help to educate student health visitors. You will be informed if a student health visitor is joining the visit.
Safeguarding children is an integral part of a health visitor’s role and we work closely with our colleagues from children’s social care, GP practices and voluntary services in order to support families.
If English is not your first language, or if your hearing or vision is compromised, your health visitor has access to a pre-arranged interpreting service.
Admin hub phone number
If you would like to arrange your child’s developmental review or have any general enquiries please call the Health Visiting admin hub phone number – 02030491873
Health messages
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Hot Weather
During the hot weather, babies and children will need some extra help in order to keep cool.
It is especially important to try to keep babie
s rooms as cool as possible as babies that get too hot have a greater chance of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).Visit the below links for helpful advice on how to keep babies and children cool:
https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep-advice/baby-summer-safety/
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/first-aid-and-safety/safety/safety-in-the-sun/
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Safety Alert: ‘Super strong’ magnets
The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has issued a Safety Alert to warn of the risk of swallowing small high-powered magnets. This follows increasing reports of injuries and a small number of deaths after ingestion of magnets, particularly among children and young people.OPSS has identified a particular hazard arising from the use of high-powered magnets in products and where the magnets can be easily swallowed. Examples of these magnets are: fridge magnets, earrings, tongue piercings and drink charms. It is important to keep these objects away from children as ingestion could result in a serious or fatal injury.
If you suspect your child has swallowed a magnet, you must take them to A&E straight away or call 999 immediately.
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Launch of the eRedbook in Lewisham
Lewisham Health Visitors are excited to announce we are going live with the digital eRedbook on Monday 15th February.
What is the eRedbook?
The eRedbook is a digitalised version of the paper held red book. It is an app which enables parents and carers to access their child’s health records through their smartphone or online.
How do I get the eRedbook?
- Download the eRedbook app from the app store on iPhones and Android
- eRedbook website
By signing up in the ante natal period it means you do not have to ask for your baby’s records to be connected by the health visiting team once baby is born.
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Calling all parents of Reception children
Are you a parent or carer of a Reception aged child attending school in Lewisham?
We have developed a secure online portal (part of the Thomas Screener) where parents can complete the health need assessment (HNA form). The questionnaire is an opportunity for the School Health Service to have insight on your child’s health and development for early identification and signposting to relevant interventions.
The unique link to access the portal is sent by your child’s school via email or TEXT. If you have not received the link, please contact your School or Lewisham School Health Screening Team on:
0203 049 3415
Here is a video on how the HNA portal works
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Minor Ailments Videos!
We have just added two short minor ailment films to our website, you can find them at the bottom of the Minor Ailments page.
Topics covered:
- Fever
- Colds and coughs
- Diarrhoea and Vomiting
- Viral illnesses
- Skin conditions
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Mindful Mums Drop In Sessions
Join the mindful mums drop-in sessions on Zoom for online support from other expectant and new mums. Build confidence and develop social connections with other mums.
No need to register and no obligation to attend every week.
The sessions are for expectant and new mums with children up to 1 year old.
Tuesday at 10:00-10:45
Zoom Meeting ID: 560 916 9477
Password: BeK1nd@20 -
Being Dad Drop In Sessions
Being Dad groups are for expectant/new dads or men with parenting responsibility for babies and young children up to two years old. The group runs every Tuesday at 8pm on Zoom. The sessions help men to learn more about looking after themselves, managing the changes and challenges of parenthood, all while meeting other dads!
For more information email beingdad@blgmind.org.uk or visit https://blgmind.org.uk/bromley-mental-health/being-dad/Zoom Meeting ID: 937 0101 7843
Password: 045716 -
Flu vaccination for 2 & 3 year olds
All 2 & 3 year olds are entitled to a free flu vaccine. The flu vaccine is given as a nasal spray and protects your child against 4 main strains of influenza (flu) predicted to be in circulation this winter.
Why vaccinate? 30-50% of children are infected with flu and can spread the infection for up to 7 days; vaccinating your child reduces the risk of flu for family members, childcare providers and other children.
Contact your GP practice for your child’s free Flu vaccine!
For more information, see our vaccination page.
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Postnatal Group
Is your baby between 6 weeks and 4 months? We are now running Zoom postnatal groups. The groups run for 5 weeks with each week covering a different topic, at the end of each session there will be time for question and answers and to speak with other parents.
The topics include:
- Rhythms and Patterns
- Baby Wellbeing
- Play and Development
- Introducing Solids
- Parental Wellbeing
Sessions are starting:
Wednesday 11th August 10am – 11am
Thursday 12rh August 10am-11am
If you are interested in attending, please contact your Health Visiting Team.
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BABY FACE MASK ALERT
ALERT!
We have been informed ‘baby face masks’ are being advertised to parents.
BABIES AND CHILDREN UNDER 3 DO NOT NEED TO WEAR A FACE MASK OR COVERING.
The Government’s official ‘staying safe outside your home’ guidelines state: “Face coverings should not be used by children under the age of 3 or those who may find it difficult to manage them correctly”.
The Lullaby Trust, (who provide expert advice on safer sleeping and SIDS) has urged parents to avoid using face masks on babies: “We are not aware of any advice for babies to wear masks, whether they are infected or not. There is a potential risk of suffocation and other hazards with doing this”.
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Virtual Breastfeeding Hubs
To provide ongoing breastfeeding support for our mothers during the COVID 19 pandemic, we are now offering virtual breastfeeding hubs via Zoom 3 times a week in place of our usual face to face breastfeeding hubs.
We would love you join, please email lg.breastfeedingvirtualhubs@nhs.net to book in!
The Zoom virtual breastfeeding hubs run:
Every Monday 1.30pm – 2.30pm
Every Thursday 10am – 11am
Every Friday 10am – 11am
Please see our breastfeeding page for further information.
