If you are in need of urgent NHS mental health support you should call our Mental Health Central Access Point on 0808 800 3302. For more information head to: www.leicspart.nhs.uk/contact/urgent-help
Service description
Covid-19 Update
We are currently experiencing significant staffing shortages and capacity pressures due to the ongoing challenges of Covid 19. As a result of this, we are unable to fulfil all of our universal contacts for antenatal and 10-12 month development reviews.
We recognise that you may find this concerning and would like to sincerely apologise about this temporary change to our service offer. Please be assured that we are working on solutions to resolve some of the issues that we are experiencing and will do our upmost to offer alternative provisions to families in need of support.
If you do not get a routine appointment but would like to talk to the health visiting team to discuss any concerns or need any support please do not hesitate to contact your local team via our Chat Health service 07520615382.
Despite the Government announcement to lift most Covid-19 restrictions from Monday 19 July, infection prevention control (IPC) measures will still be in place for patients/service users and staff working within Leicestershire Partnership Trust.
| Contact point | Nature of contact |
| Antenatal contact for first time parents or families with identified vulnerabilities | Telephone assessment |
| Antenatal contact for second or subsequent babies | Directed to digital resources on the Health for Under 5s website and ChatHealth secure text messaging service |
| 10-14 day contact | Telephone assessment and face to face review of weight and head circumference |
| 6 week assessment | Telephone assessment and face to face review of weight and head circumference |
| 3 months | Text message directing to Health for Under 5s website including information on ‘introducing solids’ |
| 1 year | All parents with children eligible will be sent a letter directing them to resources on the Health for Under 5’s website.
By the end of June 2021 clinic appointments will be reintroduced in some areas that have Covid secure venues. |
| 2 years | All parents with children eligible will be sent a letter directing them to resources on the Health for Under 5’s website.
A telephone assessment will also be offered. Weight review will be offered where there is parental concern. |
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
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.