A NEW TELEPHONE service to support Worcester families with youngsters aged up to five-years-old has been launched.
The phone line has been set up to provide additional support and advice over the phone to parents and is being run by Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust’s health visitors.
Advice on feeding and behaviour are among the issues the line will help with health visitors hoping it will provide extra support for parents in between visits.
The health visiting team form part of a new ‘Starting Well’ service that also includes school health nurses, breastfeeding support and Reach4Wellbeing, a new team launching in the spring.
A new birth visit, between 10 and 14 days after the baby’s arrival will be introduced as well as a visit at six to eight weeks after birth.
One will take place when baby is nine to 12 months old and a final one will take place when the child is between two and two and a half.
All first time mums and families will receive an ante-natal visit between 28 and 32 weeks pregnancy.
Health chiefs have reminded parents if their baby or child is unwell they should make an appointment with their GP or call NHS 111.
Jane Cahill, service lead for Public Health Nursing, said: “Parents will be able to phone in and speak to a health visitor for advice on a number of parenting issues such as feeding, behaviour and constipation.
“It will give parents that one number they can contact to get the advice they need,” she added.
Parents can call the line on 0300 123 9551 between 8am and 4pm on Monday to Friday.
