Manchester Health Visiting Service

Meeting you

Before your baby is born you will receive support from the Midwifery Service, and from the Health Visiting Service between 28 and 36 weeks.

After the birth you will be contacted again by a health visitor who will make an appointment to visit you at home when your baby is between 10 and 14 days old. During this visit you will be able to discuss the health and well-being of your family and your child’s developmental progress. The health visitor can provide advice, support and local information about drop-in sessions and services for children and families.

The Personal Child Health Record (or ‘red book’) is a record of your child’s health and development, it is yours to keep. The health visitor will go through this with you on the first visit. Please remember to take the book with you to your child’s health appointments.

Information for Parents and Carers

Manchester Health Visiting Service offers comprehensive advice and support to parents and carers of children from pre-birth to four and a half years.

Find out more

What is a health visitor?

Health visitors are registered nurses or midwives with specialist additional qualifications in child, family and public health.

Their role is to offer information and support to families through the early years, from pregnancy and birth to primary school.

The health visiting service

Every family with a child under the age of four and a half has access to a health visitor and their team. The service is delivered through home visits, contact in the community and telephone calls as necessary.

The aim is to promote the health and well-being of you and your family. Healthy Child drop-in sessions for well babies and children are provided in various venues including Children’s Centres, Health Centres and community buildings.

Health visitors work with other services such as GPs, midwives, school nurses and social workers. Health visiting teams usually consist of health visitors, community staff nurses, community nursery nurses, early years outreach workers and team assistants.

Hours:

The Health Visiting Service is available between 8.30 am and 4.30 pm Monday to Friday. This is a non-emergency service providing health education, advice and guidance.  If your child needs a medical examination or you are worried about your child’s health you should contact your GP, www.choosewellmanchester.org.uk, visit an NHS Walk-In Centre, or dial 111. In an emergency dial 999.

We offer Healthy Child drop-in sessions at various locations across Manchester. If you would like further information about child health drop-in sessions please contact your local team below.

Contact Details:

Additional Support:

Accident prevention

Bereavement

Contraception

Disability

Domestic abuse

Drugs and alcohol

Feeding

Healthy eating

Immunisations

Mental health

Minor ailments

Minor illnesses

Parenting skills

Play and development

Postnatal depression

Sexual health

Sleeping

Additional Information:

• Health Visiting Service Leaflet

Awards / Recognitions:

Health Visiting Team of the Year, Northenden, CPHVA 2014.

Runner-up Practice Teacher of the Year, CPHVA, 2015.

Health Visitor of the Year, CPHVA, 2015.