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A
Health Visitors role
is a varied one and is an integral part of the NHS Community
Health Service. The main focus of our work is prevention,
helping people to stay healthy and avoid illness.
The
Health Visitor is a Qualified Registered Nurse,
Midwife, Sick Children’s Nurse or Psychiatric
Nurse with Specialist qualifications in Community Health,
which includes child health, health promotion and education. |
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The
role involves promoting health in the whole community
and we are particularly involved with families
who have children under five and with the elderly population.
Because most of us are attached to GP Practices we are
also work with all patients registered with a GP Practice.
We look at the broader picture to identify the health
needs within their community and this allows us to affect
local policy. |
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Every
family with children under five has a named health
visitor. Our role is to offer support and encouragement
to families through the early years from pregnancy
and birth to primary school and beyond. We work closely with
GP’s and cover the geographical area of the GP practice.
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Most
health visitor’s work alongside midwives
preparing parents for the birth
of their baby by their involvement in pre-birth classes.
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We
also offer help and advice to parents on the following:
• Their child’s growth & development
• Common infections in childhood
• Common skin problems
• Behaviour difficulties. Sleeping, eating,
potty training, temper tantrums and teething.
• Breastfeeding, weaning, healthy eating, hygiene,
safety and exercise
• Postnatal depression, bereavement and violence
in the family
We are also involved in:
• Working in partnership with families to tailor
health plans to their needs
• Coordinating child immunisation programmes
• Organising and running baby clinics
• Health promotion groups, Breast feeding support
groups, Parent support groups, parenting courses
• Nurse prescribing
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Health
visitors work
closely with others
such as Speech
Therapists,
Social Workers,
School Nurses, &
District Nurses.
You can access
your health visitor
through your
GP Surgery
by phoning or
dropping
in at your health
centre or clinic to
request a home visit
or speak to a health visitor. |
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You
can also use our free online service:
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Role of Healthvisitor |
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