How to get help from a health visitor

How can I speak with a Health Visitor during the current restrictions due to COVID-19?

With the support of risk assessments to protect you and families, we are pleased that we will be seeing new babies in North Somerset at 10-14 days in their own homes from 3 August. 

Other routine contacts in pregnancy and at 8 weeks old, as described in The Healthy Child Programme, will also restart from this date. This may be face-to-face or by digital methods.

The two other routine contacts at 9-12 months and 2 years will stay by telephone or by video consultation throughout August, and will then be reviewed.

Contacting our teams

Our staff are available to speak to parents between working hours (9-5) Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays). You can contact them by ringing our Health Visiting Hub on 01934 533300. Please note this is only a service for children registered with a GP in North Somerset. 

Please get in touch with any questions or concerns at all – we look forward to hearing from you.

For out of hours advice, please ring NHS 111

You will also find lots of helpful information in your red book and on the NHS website.

Infant feeding information and guidance

Do I need to speak to a health visitor? A mother's breastfeeding checklist (UNICEF)

How to assess if formula feeding is going well (UNICEF)

Breastfeeding in North Somerset (North Somerset Council) - information about infant feeding with links to evidence based resources and details of local support groups

Other useful information

Worried about your mental health?

• You can call your Health Visitor or GP who will signpost you to appropriate support.
• This includes organisations like Bluebell, which offers support for those experiencing depression or anxiety relating to pregnancy and birth. Bluebell has also recently launched the Bump to Baby Wellbeing Guide for parents to find the support they need for their mental health and wellbeing, during pregnancy and after birth, during this difficult time of COVID-19 and beyond
• You can also self-refer to Vita Minds, which offers free NHS talking therapies.

If you do not feel safe in your relationship please contact your Health Visitor, or you can ring Domestic Abuse FreeFone Support line (DAFFS) on 0800 6949 999. If you are in immediate danger call 999.