Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT) is delighted to announce that ChatHealth, the award‑winning messaging service developed by the Trust’s Digital Health Transformation Service, has been formally recognised in the newly refreshed Healthy Child Programme (HCP) published by the Department of Health and Social Care.

The updated national guidance for the commissioning and delivery of 0–19 public health nursing services cites ChatHealth as an effective model of practice, highlighting the role of secure digital communication tools in supporting children, young people and families. The HCP recognises the value of messaging platforms such as ChatHealth in enhancing day‑to‑day public health nursing practice, providing timely, confidential support, and improving equity of access alongside traditional service delivery.

Caroline Palmer, ChatHealth Clinical Lead for LPT’s Digital Health Transformation Service, said: “The inclusion of ChatHealth in the Healthy Child Programme is a fantastic accolade and a testament to the dedication of the amazing public health nursing teams using ChatHealth every day to support children, young people and families across England. We’re thrilled to see the platform recognised nationally for its impact across school nursing and health visiting.”

ChatHealth was developed by LPT and first piloted in 2013 across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) as a safe and secure way for young people to contact school nurses via messaging. Since then, ChatHealth has expanded to provide:

  • School nursing and health visiting messaging lines for young people aged 0–19 in Leicester
  • Messaging lines for parents and carers of 0–19‑year‑olds in Leicester
  • Messaging lines for parents and carers of 0–11‑year‑olds across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland

 

LPT also offers ChatHealth‑powered messaging services for its perinatal mental health team, Central Access Point and specialist autism team.

The service has been adopted widely by other NHS Trusts across the country and continues to demonstrate strong outcomes in improving access and engagement. Many young people report feeling more comfortable asking for help via messaging than in person: “I’ve never really been the person to open up a lot but ChatHealth has really helped me and shown that help is out there.”

Parents and carers also value the convenience of the platform: “I find this service so helpful. Not having to schedule a call – texting is far easier as a busy mum. I feel like everyone I’ve spoken to is thorough, thoughtful and supportive without judgement.”

For more information about ChatHealth, visit chathealth.nhs.uk or read the latest impact report at: impacts.dhtsnhs.uk.