What do health visitors do?

Health visitors are qualified nurses or midwives who have undertaken further qualifications in public health.

They are specialist nurses in health promotion for the whole family as well as having extensive knowledge about childhood growth and development. 

Every family in the UK who are currently expectant and/or have children under the age of five are allocated a named health visitor who will work with the family in partnership to help facilitate parents to make informed decisions about their families health and wellbeing.

The health visiting team at Prudhoe Medical Group is employed by Northumbria Healthcare Trust. The team consists of health visitors and nursery nurse.

The health visiting team are available from Monday to Friday from 8am until 4.30pm.

You can contact them on 0300 373 2488, however, if no one is available you can leave a message and they will get back to you on their first available working day (this may take a little longer at times of staff holidays,. training etc)

Health visitors may work in a variety of settings depending on the nature of the work therefore we can offer home visits, appointments at the surgery and at the local Children’s Centre.

• providing ante-natal and post-natal support
• supporting parents in bringing up their young children
• providing advice on feeding babies and children
• assessing a child growth and development needs of young children
• supporting children with special needs
• advising on behavioural management techniques
• advising how to reduce risks and prevent accidents and reduce injuries
• providing information on local services

The health visiting team facilitate a number of local groups which are free of charge and enable parents and babies to meet other parents and babies in a social setting.

Invitations will be sent out to every family at suitable times to ensure every parent and child has the opportunity to attend.

The groups we currently facilitate are as follows:-

• Birth and Beyond, this is recommended to be attended during pregnancy
• Little Treasures, parents and babies will be invited at around 6 weeks of age.
• Getting in touch with your baby, parents and babies will be invited at around 12 weeks of age.
• What's Weaning? parents and babies will be invited at around 12 weeks of age.