Changes to Public Health Nursing Services in Hertfordshire

In order to keep our families safe we are making some changes to the way in which we deliver services, working collaboratively with our Family Support colleagues due to COVID-19.

 

  Antenatal

 

Preparing for Baby

We’ are running our Preparing for Baby virtual and online course. These FREE online course for expectant mothers between 25- 34 weeks pregnant, living in Hertfordshire. We are offering both a virtual or online version of ‘Preparing for Baby’ produced by Family Support staff, Health Visitors and Midwives from our teams in Hertfordshire and contains all the essential information you will need. 

Please click here to book on or for more information

Understanding Pregnancy, Labour and Birth

This free programme takes you through each stage in dedicated sessions each lasting  about 20 minutes. You can choose to do them all or pick the ones that are most useful and relevant to you. For example one session covers helping you and your baby through pregnancy and birth; another getting to know your baby in the womb plus you, your baby and the stages of labour. To book on a programme just click here for the course link and apply the free access code FCS20

Understanding your Baby 

There is a variety of sessions in this free programme - each lasting  about 20 minutes. You can either choose to do them all or pick the ones most helpful to you. Some of the topics cover  understanding feelings, both your own & your baby's; how to respond to crying; developing healthy sleep patterns;  being a dad. To book on a programme just click here for the course link and apply the free access code FCS20

 

  Baby and Toddler Health Clinics

In September 2020 we launched a new way of working which is currently replacing the drop in-Baby and Toddler Health Clinics:

• All parents can access a Health Visitor via the 0300 123 7572 duty line between 9AM-5PM Monday-Friday. A team of experienced Health Visitors are on duty to answer your questions and concerns. They will assess the needs of your baby/toddler/child and those of your family. This may be by phone /virtual platforms (WhatsApp video/Attend Anywhere) or even face-to-face, where there is a specific need to do so. You can also get advice from our Health Visiting Team via the award-winning text messaging service for parents and carers of babies and children aged 0-5 yrs. All you need to do is text us on 07480 635164.
• Growth monitoring (weighing your baby) and health promotion is available with your Health Visiting Team at specific ages/stages across Family Centres and community venues in Hertfordshire (please see information below). Where there are identified growth concerns these will be managed on an individual basis and according to your child’s needs. Please ring 0300 123 7572 to book an appointment with your Health Visitor.
• Self-weighing and health promotion is offered at key touch points, provided by Family Support Services in Family Centres. Click here for further information or to book via Eventbrite.
• All parents have access to support with any feeding issues via their Health Visitor and the 0300 123 7572 duty line.  More complex feeding issues will be referred to our specialist breastfeeding clinics and we also provide a breast pump loan service where needed.

 

Ages/stages for your baby/toddlers growth monitoring

 

   1 and 2 – 2.5 year health and development reviews

All Health and Development reviews are now offered face to face, you will be contacted by the Public Health Nursing service for an appointment.

For more information about your child’s health review, here is a short clip to explain how this review will help you and your child.  

 

Preparing For Baby Hertfordshire

We offer Hertfordshire parents to be our popular and informative antenatal course called Preparing for Baby (P4B).   This is a FREE antenatal online or virtual course which you can book onto between 25-34 weeks of pregnancy. This course is produced and run by Family Support staff, Health Visitors and Midwives from our teams in Hertfordshire and contains all the essential information you will need. 

Please click here to book on or for more information