Wandsworth And Richmond Combine Health Visitor Service
Pledging to protect vital support despite reductions in Government funding
Richmond and Wandsworth Councils have launched a new joint Health Visitor Service forl parents across both boroughs.
The service will be provided by the Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust (CLCH) and will help all pregnant women, parents and carers with children aged up to five years old.
The service is designed to offer support and advice to promote good health, detect issues early, prevent accidents and ensure immunisation.
Services offered include:
• A named health visitor for all families with children aged 0-5
• Healthy weight and wellbeing clinics
• Parenting support
• Home visits
• Breastfeeding clinics and support groups
• Baby and child developmental assessments
• Antenatal and postnatal groups
• Access to the ‘Health Matters’ website where families can post questions and receive answers within two working days
The Councils say they hope that by delivering the service across two boroughs, families can make the most of CLCH’s skilled health visitors and clinical teams can share good practice.
Cllr Mark Boyle, Richmond Council Cabinet Member for Public Health, said, “As a parent, I know how vital the health visitor service is - providing family services from pre-birth, right through to school.
“Despite huge reductions in Government funding, particularly for public health grants, we have been able to protect this valued and much needed provision.
“Our new offer, in partnership with CLCH, will provide a number of different ways in which people can contact their health visitor and a single point of access for all queries.”
Cllr Paul Ellis, Wandsworth Council Cabinet Member for Adult Care and Health, added, “The health and wellbeing of our families is vital and this new integrated service means we can offer the best possible support for our children, parents and carers.
“In partnership with CLCH we are transforming local health services to ensure our communities get the full range of provision they need and, most importantly, making a significant and positive difference to the development of our children and their readiness for school.”
Janet Lewis, Divisional Director of Children’s services at CLCH said, “We’re delighted to be working alongside Richmond and Wandsworth councils to support families across both boroughs through this vital service.”
Residents can access the service via the online digital hub healthmatters.clch.nhs.uk
February 14, 2018