What is a Health Visitor?

A Health Visitor is a trained nurse who has undergone further training. This includes the study of child development, psychology, social policy and environmental health.

Every child under 5 years has a named Health Visitor. Health Visitors may work with anyone: families couples, single and older people.

The Aims of the Health Visiting Service are:

• To promote health among all age groups
• To provide support, advice and guidance in all aspects of emotional, mental and physical health
• To recognise and identify areas of need within the community
• To provide support in helping people during periods of stress and ill health

What does the work of the Health Visitor include?

All health visitors are based within doctors’ surgeries. They work alongside other professionals such as community nurses, doctors, social workers and voluntary workers. Their work can be carried out in a variety of locations, such as your own home, playgroups, health centres, schools and many others.

Health visitors have knowledge about many subjects, including:

• Contraception and pregnancy
• Child care and development
• Protecting children
• Teenagers
• Alcohol and drug abuse
• Mental and emotional health
• Woman’s health and the menopause
• Disability
• Bereavement

The Health Visitor is involved with people of all age groups in a variety of activities, such as:

• Support and advice to all parents
• Well baby clinics
• Parent craft and post natal groups
• Child development
• Working with individuals
• Health promotion with all age groups

How can you help your Health Visitor?

Your named Health Visitor has a responsibility for many people. To enable her to make the best use of her time, please:

• Ensure that you are at home when a visit has been arranged
• Be on time for arranged appointments
• Cancel appointments you cannot keep
• Contact your Health Visitor at the suggested times
• Return and equipment you borrow so that other people may use it

Thank you

The Health Visiting Service aims to provide the highest possible quality of care. Should you have any queries, comments or complaints, please contact:

Community Nursing Office
The Health Centre
Vicarage Street
Barnstaple
North Devon
EX32 7BT

Tel. 01271 371761

All Health Visitors employed by the North Devon Primary Care Trust carry an identity card. Please ask to see this before admitting a Health Visitor to your home.

We also have a Child Health clinic open at the following times: