Health Visitors
Health Visitors are trained nurses who have extra training and qualifications in child health. They are a great source of information about child development and health, parenting strategies, breastfeeding, nutrition and community support. They also offer help with social, emotional and environmental issues that affect families.
To contact the Health Visitors call 01309 678875 (Mon-Fri from 8.30am-5pm).
The team primarily works with preschool children and their families and they undertake childhood development assessments in keeping with the routine surveillance programme by offering support regarding parenting, child protection and all aspects of child care. Immunisations are carried out by the Immunisation Team and the core programme offered to all children is as follows:
Child health checks
You will also be offered routine health reviews for your child, with your health visitor as follows:
- A primary visit following discharge from the midwife
- 3-5 weeks – 2 home visits
- 6-8 weeks – developmental and wellbeing review at home (Baby Bookbug bag)
- 3 months – developmental review at home
- 4 months – developmental review at home (weaning bag and leaflets)
- 8 months – developmental review at home
- 13-15 months – developmental and wellbeing review at home (Toddler Bookbug bag)
- 27-30 months – developmental and wellbeing review
- 4-5 years – developmental and wellbeing review prior to starting Primary School
- All new to area families should receive a minimum of 1 visit / contact to be introduced to your Health Visitor
Child Immunisations
Immunisations are given by healthcare professionals in accordance with the NHS vaccine schedule.
Further information on the schedule and vaccines in general can be found on NHS Inform.
When to immunise
Different vaccines are given at different ages to protect you and your child. Find out when these vaccinations are offered, and when and where they’ll be given:
Hearing tests for children
Routine hearing tests are offered to newborn babies and children to identify any problems early on in their development.
Although serious hearing problems during childhood are rare, early testing ensures that any problems are picked up and managed as early as possible.
School Nursing Service
The School Health Service is staffed by nurses who have undergone specialist training. They work in schools to promote good health, carry out health screening and provide vaccination/immunisation services for pupils. Primary 1 (P1) school children in Scotland are screened to check their height, weight, vision and a colour vision test. School Nurses can also develop care plans for school children with health problems and ensure that everything is in place for these pupils to allow them to get on with ‘school life’. School Nurses work closely with teachers and parents and are a useful source of advice and information. They also liaise with hospital services to ensure that pupils are receiving appropriate care and medicine. In Secondary Schools, School Nurses also play a supporting role in the classroom, particularly around social education – e.g. issues relating to sexual health, smoking and drugs.