Who Are We?
Health visitors work as part of a health visiting team. The health visiting team consists of nursery nurses, community staff nurses and health visitors. The health visiting teams are part of Bassetlaw Primary Care Trust. They work closely with GP’s within the area as well as other agencies and services. The service they provide is usually from 9:00am to 5:00pm, Monday to Friday. However, appointments are tailored to an individuals needs.
Since 2004, health visitors have been registered on the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as ‘specialist community public health nurses’. All health visitors are Registered General Nurses who have developed their nursing skills to work with individual people, families, groups and local communities, helping them to make choices for healthy lifestyles.
Who Do We Work With?
Health visitors work mainly with children from birth to 5 years and their families. In partnership with parents they use a framework for assessing:
• Young child’s/children’s development needs
• Your parenting skills
• Your family and environmental factors
Following this assessment the Health Visitor, with parents, will support that which has been identified. and arrange to see their clients in their own home , clinic or a community setting
Who Is In The Team?
• Health Visitors
• Community Staff Nurse
• Community Nursery Nurses
How Can We Help?
Health visiting teams deliver some key parts of the child health promotion programme, which includes:
• Ante-natal and post-natal support
• Support to parents in bringing up their young children
• Parenting skills
• Feeding and weaning your baby
• Your child’s growth and development
• Support for children with special needs
• Behavioural management techniques
• Reducing risks aiming to prevent accidents and reduce injuries
• Healthy eating
• Smoke free homes and environment
• Information on local services
Health visitors also play an important role in offering additional support to some mothers who may be feeling low or be suffering forms of post-natal depression.
Who Can Make A Referral?
• Parents
• Children’s Centres
• GPs
• Other Health Professionals
• Voluntary and Statutory Organisations
How to Contact Us
The health visiting teams can be contacted through the Single Point of Access at Retford Hospital on 01777 274422
