Reduced services due to Covid-19
Together with the rest of the NHS, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust is preparing for the unprecedented demands of the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak. During this time, your care may change a little, for example it may be delivered in a different way, or may have to be postponed for a while. We will try to explain why we have to take these steps below.
As a result of the outbreak, we are prioritising the care we normally provide, and some services will be restricted or closed. We will be writing to patients who are affected. If you were expecting to attend one of our clinics in the next few days and have not received a letter, please phone the number provided on your original appointment letter to confirm whether you should still attend.
To see whether one of our services is affected please click here: https://www.leicspart.nhs.uk/service-update/
Service description
Covid-19 Update
Please note that as a result of the current Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, health visiting and school nursing support is being delivered differently. Most contacts are now provided over the phone, with face-to-face visits offered only where absolutely necessary. All public health nursing staff will wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) during visits in compliance with national infection control measures.
All new parents registered with a GP will automatically be invited for their routine public health nurse (health visitor) appointments.
Outside of these appointments, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust runs a confidential secure text messaging service for parents of children aged 0-19 years called ChatHealth. The service operates Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm, excluding bank holidays. All texts will be responded to by a public health nurse (health visitor/school nurse) within 24 hours. Outside of the service working hours, you’ll receive a message back to inform you that your text will be responded to once the line reopens. This service will continue to be available during the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.
Should you require urgent health advice in the meantime, please contact your GP, visit an NHS walk-in centre or call NHS 111. For emergencies, dial 999 or visit A&E.
Parents/carers living in Leicester city: text 07520 615381
Parent/carers living in Leicestershire and Rutland: text 07520 615382
Starting and during school years
In the term before your child goes to school, you will be sent a health and wellbeing questionnnaire to complete so that your public health nurse (school nurse) can offer any help your child needs with health issues in school.
Further questionnnaires will be sent automatically to you or your child. Any child or parent who wants to see a public health nurse (school nurse) can get in touch via their child’s school, or they can text a public health (school) nurse via ChatHealth on the numbers above.
For Young People
ChatHealth, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust’s confidential text messaging service, is also available for young people aged 11-19 to use to contact a public health (school) nurse for professional health advice and support. This service will continue to be available during the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.
The service is available 9am-5pm every week day, excluding bank holidays. The text line stays open during the school holidays too. All texts will be responded to by a public health (school) nurse within 24 hours. The service is totally confidential and your information will only be shared if the public health (school) nurse is worried about you or someone else’s safety, or if you share information which may be concerning or put you or someone else at risk or danger.
Young people aged 11-19 living in Leicester city: text 07520 615386
Young people aged 11-19 living in Leicestershire and Rutland: text 07520 615387
Referral criteria
Healthy Together is a universal service for children and their families from 0-19.
Who to contact if you need an interpreter or information about disabled access
You will be given contact details when your appointment is booked.
