What is a Health Visitor?

A Health Visitor is a qualified nurse or midwife who has completed specialist training in children and family health.

They offer support and advice regarding the wellbeing of your child until they start Primary School.

---

What will your Health Visitor provide?

Your health visitor will provide you with specialist up-to-date advice and support on many health and wellbeing topics such as:

• your own support after the birth of your baby
• your child’s development
• assistance with the various aspects of being a parent
• childhood immunisations
• infant feeding
• introducing solid foods
• dental care
• safety
• minor ailments

---

When will I meet my Health Visitor?

The Health Visitor will contact you in the final weeks of pregnancy, around 32-34 weeks, to introduce the service.

They will then return once you and your baby has been discharged from the Midwifery Service around 10-14 days postnatal.

---

What can I ask my Health Visitor?

Please feel free to ask your health visitor any questions you have at any time. Health visiting teams spend a lot of time on home visits but all health visiting teams have answer phones and will aim to get back to you as soon as possible.

Your Health Visitor may also provide you with a mobile number, however, this will only be monitored during a working day.

If you have concerns and can not get in touch with your Health Visitor immediately, contact your GP surgery or NHS24 on 111.

---

Infant Massage Courses

The Health Visiting Family Support Team in Falkirk are now able to offer face to face infant massage courses to infants under the age of 6 months.

These sessions will take place on:

• Wednesdays at Tamfourhill Community Hub 11:00-12:00
• Thursdays at Tesco, Redding Community Hub from 11:00-12:00 and 13:00-14:00

Please contact the team directly to book 01324 679112.

Please note all Covid-19 protective measures must be complied with, these will be discussed at the time of booking.