Health Visitors are registered nurses or midwives who have undertaken additional training in community public health nursing to become specialist community public health nurses.
Health Visitors lead the Healthy Child Programme (0-5) and are fundamental in ensuring every child has the best start in life.
Support and advice for families is normally provided at home. However, you may see a Health Visitor in different settings such as GP Practice, schools or children’s social care environments.
A Health Visitor will usually visit you at home for the first time around 10 days after your baby is born. Until then you’ll be cared for by local midwives.
Some of the areas that Health Visitors can assist with are:
- Supporting parents during their transition to parenthood and in the weeks following the birth of their baby
- Providing support and advice for healthy eating for young children
- Delivering health reviews for your child
- Promoting the best start in speech, language and communication
- Supporting maternal and infant mental health