Health Visiting
Health Visitors are qualified nurses who have undertaken specialist training in order to support families with young children. Their role is to work with families to identify their and their child’s health needs and to help give them the best possible start in life through implimentation of the Healthy Child Programe 0-5.
Every family with a child under 5 will have a named Health Visitor who will be assigned during in the last trimester of pregnancy (6-9 months).
Health Visitors offer tailored advice to parents on their child’s growth and development, both emotional and physical, minor ailments, behaviour and nutrition. They also offer support on issues like post-natal depression. They provide families with advice on and access to immunisations, baby clinics and various parent support groups. They can also help families to connect with agencies outside health, where there is a need, e.g. housing, children’s centres, debt advice etc.
Health Visitors work in the community and visit every family, initially, in their home in the first 2 weeks of life. Other contact may be at the family home, a child development clinic or other venue such as a children’s centre which suits both the Health Visitor and the family. They work closely with other health professionals and can refer families to specialists when it is appropriate to do so.
Health Visitors also work closely with other agencies such as education, voluntary services and children’s services to ensure that every child is safe and has the opportunity to achieve their full potential.
What parents have said about our service:
The health visitor gave me some really positive advice on how to help tackle my son's fussy eating. She made me feel extremely supported and helped me see a different approach. I put into place what we discussed and to my delight it worked and was so easy to do. I was unbelievably happy all thanks to the amazing job they do.
Contact Details
Carlisle South Team | Carleton Clinic, Cumwhintion Drive Carlisle | Telephone 01228 608953
Carlisle West Team | Carlisle West Childrens Centre , Morton Carlisle | Telephone 01228 608045
Carlisle North and Rural | Longtown Medical Centre , Longtown | Telephone 01228 792712
Wigton | 01228 602066
Workington | 01900 705173
Cockermouth | 01900 705767
Copeland | 01946 68616
Cleator Moor 01946 814434
Penrith & Alston | 01768 245615
Appleby | 017683 54964
Windermere | 015394 47625
Kendal | 01539 718155
Grange | 01539 777254
Looking After Your Child's Health - a booklet containing information about common childhood illnesses. Also available as an App - search NHS Child Health in Google Play or the App Store.
Netmums – a unique network for both Mums and Dads which offers a wealth of information at both a local and national level.
Cumbria Children & Families Information Service – providing a range of information on services for children and young people in Cumbria.
The NHS website – if you want more advice on immunisations please speak to your Health Visitor, GP or Practice Nurse.
Change4Life – healthy food & activity tips for you and your family.
APNI – The Association for Post-Natal Illness.
The Birth Trauma Association – support for women with post-traumatic stress disorder or birth trauma.
FSID – provides information on the prevention of sudden deaths, health promotion, and support to bereaved families.
Barnardo's – advice and support for children, young people and families affected by drug abuse, disability, sexual/domestic abuse, homelessness, poverty and many other issues.
Action for Children – a national charitable organisations that provide advice and support for children and families.
Howgill Family Centre – a local charitable organisations that provide advice and support for children and families.

From Our Children & Families Team Specialist Breast Feeding Health Visitors gains two new members
Published: 28th April 2016
More breast feeding help for mums

Nurses Day Profile: Helen Westwood, Health Visitor
Published: 1st March 2016
A profile of a CPFT Health Visitor

Mums are invited to the Morton Manor Breastfeeding social picnic
Published: 23rd June 2015

Health visitors give top tips to parents to improve the wellbeing of the baby and the family!
Published: 21st October 2014
Sarah gives mum some guidance on how to relax and tips on how to get her baby to sleep for longer

Our health visitors give top tips to parents on wellbeing of their baby and the family
Published: 20th October 2014
Sarah Worsell gives mum some guidance on how to relax and tips on how to get her baby to sleep for longer periods.

From Our Children & Families Team More support for children and families in Cumbria
Published: 29th November 2013
Support for children and families in Cumbria will be boosted in the next few years thanks to newly qualified health visitors.