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 (link to national programme) 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 center 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.

Contact Details

Area	Address	Telephone
Carlisle	Cumberland House, Carleton Clinic, Cumwhitten Drive, Carlisle CA1 3SX	01228 608905  01228 608953  01228 608046
	Longtown Health Centre, Moor Rd, Carlisle CA6 5XA	01228 792712
Eden	Penrith Health Centre, Bridge Lane, Penrith, CA11 8HW	01768 245 615
	Alston Medical Practice, Cottage Hospital, Alston, CA9 3QX	01434 381218  01434 381214
	Appleby Health Centre, The Riverside Building, Chapel Street, Appleby-in-Westmorland, CA16 6QR	01768 354 964
Allerdale
	Wigton Hospital, Cross Lane, Wigton, CA7 9DD	01900 705173
	Cockermouth Hospital, Isel Road, Cockermouth, CA13 9HT	01900 705 767
	Victoria Cottage Hospital, Ewanrigg Road, Maryport, CA15 8EJ	01900 811 844
Copeland
	Beech House, St Bridgets Lane, Egremont, CA22 2BD	01946 825 504
	Cleator Moor Children’s Centre, Birks Road, Cleator Moor	01946 814 434
	Seascale Health Centre, Gosforth Rd, Seascale, CA20 1PN	01946 728 101
	Flatt Walks Health Centre, Whitehaven, CA28 7QE	01946 68616
	Lowther Medical Centre, 1 Castle Meadows, Whitehaven, CA28 7RG	01946 599 992
Furness
	Millom Infants School, Lapstone Road, Millom, LA18 4LP	01229 402610
	Greengate Children’s Centre, Greengate Lane, Barrow in Furness, LA14 1LF	01229 827 317
	Atkinson Health Centre, Market Street,Barrow in Furness LA14 2LR	01229 845 950
	Ormsgill Children’s Centre, Millstone Avenue, Barrow, LA14 4BP	01229 877 230
	Abbotsvale Community Centre, Barrow in Furness, LA13 9PA	01229 814 300
	Walney Children’s Centre, Mill Lane, Walney Island, Barrow, LA14 3NT	01229 473 234
	Dalton Children’s Centre, Nelson Street, Dalton-in-Furness, LA15 8AH	01229 407 770
	Ulverston Health Centre, Dale Street Community Centre, Lund Terrace, Ulverston, LA12 9BE	01229 484 010
Kendal
	Kinta House, Helm Close, Kendal, LA9 7HT	01539 718 155
	Windermere Health Centre, Goodly Dale, Windermere, LA23 9BN	01539 447 625
	Milnthorpe Children's Centre, Firs Road, Milnthorpe , LA7 7QF	01539 564 887
	Lunesdale Surgery, Wellington Court, Kirkby Lonsdale, LA6 2HQ	01524 279 177

 

Here are some websites from other organisations which parents may find useful:

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. 

NHS Choices – 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.