Health Visiting Service
Who are Health Visitors?
Health visitors are part of the integrated 0-19 team working in conjunction with the School Health team.
Health visitors are registered nurses or midwives who have who have a specialised qualification in the care and development of pre-school children. The health visiting team works in accordance with the Healthy Child Programme, which is a national programme aimed at promoting health and wellbeing for all children.
The aim of the Health Visiting Service is to support and guide parents and carers through the early years of your parenting journey and help you develop a close and loving relationship with your child.
Health visitors are also able prescribe treatments for common childhood ailments such as thrush, nappy rash and dry skin. Follow the link below for more information about the Health Visiting Service.
Good health means your mind and body are working well. Being healthy when you’re young, will help you grow up fit, happy and strong so you can enjoy life. If you’re healthy, you’ll look better, have more energy and feel more confident. It also makes it less likely you’ll get ill, now or later. Yours and your child’s mental health is really important too!
There are a range of services that are available to everybody, without the need for any assessment or referral (although you will probably need to register with them), to help manage their health. These are often called ‘universal’ services and they include GPs, Dentists, Pharmacists, Opticians and Walk-in centres. You can find the details of these services at NHS Service Search.
Common health questions about your baby or child
- What is croup? A child with croup has a distinctive barking cough and will make a harsh sound, known as stridor, when they breathe in. They may also have a runny nose, sore throat and high temperature.
- What is glue ear? Glue ear is where sticky fluid builds up in your child’s ear, which may affect their hearing.
- Is it normal for them to have several colds throughout the year? It is normal for your child to have 8 or more colds a year. They gradually build up immunity and get fewer colds.
- Does my child need to see a GP for a sore throat? Sore throats are common, you should seek medical advice and see a GP if your child has a sore throat for more than 4 days, has a high temperature and is generally unwell. If they're unable to swallow fluids or saliva or have any difficulty breathing, go to A&E or call 999 immediately as they'll need urgent treatment in hospital.
There is a wealth of information about supporting your child’s health on the NHS website.
Health for Cared for Children
Your child’s social worker will get important information from your doctor, health visitor or school nurse. This is called a ‘health assessment’ and it means they’ll know about any illnesses or disabilities and whether your child needs any special treatment or medical care.
Your child’s social worker must make sure that their health is properly looked after. They will make sure your child is registered with a doctor, a dentist and an optician and that they are offered a health check every year
Health for SEND children
There are services that support and treat people with certain conditions and normally you will have to be referred to the services by certain professionals or agencies e.g. GPs, schools, etc. These are called ‘targeted’ services. Children, young people with a disability, medical condition and/or a special educational need will probably be supported by one or more of these services throughout their life.
The Designated Clinical Officer (DCO) is a key role in supporting health services for children and families with SEND.
The Designated Clinical Officer (DCO) for NHS Liverpool Place and NHS Sefton Place is Ingrid Bell. If you would like help and support on a SEND health matter, please use the following e-mail address: Ingrid.bell@merseycare.nhs.uk or call 07887 528889.