New Healthy Together Helpline launches to support parents and carers in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland
Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust’s Healthy Together health visiting and school nursing service has launched a new helpline for parents and carers of children and young people aged 0-11 in primary schools in Leicestershire and Rutland and 0-19 in Leicester.
Offering advice and support on a range of topics affecting families, from bumps to babies and toddlers to teenage issues, the Healthy Together Helpline is the easiest way to speak directly to a health visitor or school nurse over the phone.
The helpline’s qualified health and administrative professionals offer easy to access, safe and free advice, support and signposting. Callers can expect help with booking and rearranging appointments and support for a variety of health, developmental and mental and emotional wellbeing topic areas affecting babies, children and young people, including:
- feeding and nutrition for babies
- healthy eating
- child development
- emotional health
- behaviour difficulties and parenting concerns
- family health
- and much more.
Anyone who may need more specialist support can be referred to other services or professionals if needed. Young people aged over 11-years-old in secondary school and who live or go to school in Leicester can also use the service.
The Healthy Together Helpline can be reached by calling 0300 300 3001. Calls are answered from 9am – 4.30pm on weekdays, excluding bank holidays. Calls are charged at the same rate as calling a standard landline number.
The helpline will complement the existing ChatHealth confidential text messaging service, available to parents and carers of children aged 0-11 in Leicestershire and parents, carers and young people aged 0-19 in Leicester city. The service can be accessed by texting:
- 07520 615 381 – for those who live in Leicester
- 07520 615 382 – for parents and carers in Leicestershire and Rutland.
Please note the new helpline is not an emergency service: always ensure you call 999 or go to A&E if you are in an emergency and there is a threat to life. Call or visit NHS 111 online if you need immediate medical help.