We would like to thank you for your patience during the Covid-19 pandemic whilst our Nurses (Health Visitors and School Nurses) have been in the community helping to tackle the spread of coronavirus.
COVID-19 Update:
Safeguarding – School nurses will continue to attend all vulnerable/safeguarding meetings virtually.
Health assessments/ reviews – School Nurses will continue to complete health assessments virtual or home visit face to face if clinically required. This will only be completed if there are no risk identified, parental consent obtained and wearing PPE. If we are unable to complete a virtually/ home visit, plans will be put in place for health assessment to be completed on child return to School.
NMCP and Reception Screening have been temporarily suspended:
COVID-19 has caused major interruptions in education and child health services including school entry vision screening. The primary aim of Child Vision Screening is to identify all children aged 4 to 5 years with impaired sight and enable timely intervention. If your child started Reception Year in 2019 and has not received vision screening at school, the Clinical Council for Eye Health Commissioning has recommended that parents should arrange for a NHS sight test with a local optometrist of their choice.
Bexley 0 to 19 website – Online chat available- Children, young people and their families can contact a School nurse via our online chat. In addition, if you are concerns regarding a child emotional wellbeing during this time, referrals can be made into service.
Termly Profile meetings – Profile meetings will continue via telephone or virtual.
Health need training- Book face to face sessions will be rescheduled. Booked virtual sessions will go ahead as planned, unless otherwise indicated.
Support around healthcare plans – School nursing team are available to support with healthcare plans virtual/ telephone consultation with Schools, parents etc.
If you have any questions throughout this time, please contact stacey-ann.miller@nhs.net
Our Nurses are using a variety of platforms to see or speak with you to ensure COVID-19 safety, for example – telephone, virtual calls, clinic appointments and home visits. You should hear from us at the following times:
0-4 years
Antenatal support: If you are expecting a baby, at around 26 weeks of your pregnancy, you will receive a letter inviting you to contact us to book an appointment; this is in addition to your Midwife appointments.
Please see the following information from Public Health England, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Tommy’s regarding COVID-19 vaccination:
RCOG COVID-19 vaccination information sheet
The COVID-19 vaccine in pregnancy and breastfeeding | Tommy’s
New birth Visit: When your baby is between 10-14 days old you will receive a telephone call or text message to discuss contacting you for your new birth visit.
Breastfeeding support: In addition to telephone contact with us for breastfeeding support when you need it, we are able to offer a weekly virtual clinic between 2pm – 4pm on a Thursday. If you would like to book an appointment, please contact us via our live chat function bexley0to19.co.uk or email us at bromh.bexley0to19@nhs.net if you would prefer to have a telephone discussion instead of a virtual one, please contact us as above and a member of staff will call you. Here are some links you may find useful:
GP Infant Feeding Network (GPIFN)
UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative
Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine
The COVID-19 vaccine in pregnancy and breastfeeding | Tommy’s
Post natal check: A Health Visitor will contact you by telephone when your baby is between 6-8 weeks old. You will have the opportunity to ask any questions about your baby’s development and growth. The Health Visitor will ask how you are feeling about being a new parent. N.B.Your baby should still have their 8 week GP check and receive their primary immunisations, you should book this with your GP.
Early years development reviews: We are continuing to send your child’s ASQ (Ages and Stages Questionnaire) at 1 year and 2 to 2.5 years old by post. Please complete and return to us and a member of staff will contact you to discuss your child’s development.
Well Baby Clinics: Due to the ongoing COVID-19 and the risks posed with social distancing, our Well Baby Clinics remain closed. If you have any concerns about your child, please contact us through our live chat function bexley0to19.co.uk or email us at bromh.bexley0to19@nhs.net and a Health Visitor will contact you to discuss your child’s needs.
5-19 years
School aged children: If your child has been referred to us by their school, the School Nurses will liaise with school for your child and contact you to discuss your child’s health assessment and the best way to support them.
Please get in touch with us if you need to speak to a Health Visitor, School Nurse or Community Nursery Nurse – call 0300 330 5777, email: bromh.bexley0to19@nhs.net or you can contact us through our live chat function on this website. Calls may be recorded for training and quality purposes. To find out more, visit Personal information – Bromley Healthcare.
Other helpful information for this time:
- Healthy Start vitamins remain available from us, please contact us to arrange a collection time.
- Special COVID-19 message for parents – what to do if your child is injured or unwell.
- Good Thinking UK is free for Londoners to access and provides support to those who feel anxious, sleep deprived, stressed or sad. For support with Coronavirus and your mental health visit good-thinking.uk/coronavirus/
- Right2Food – the Children’s Right2Food Campaign is a nationwide initiative to ensure every child in the UK can access and afford good food. Covid has shone a spotlight on the scale of children’s food poverty in the UK. Young people are calling for government to act now on their Charter: foodfoundation.org.uk/childrens-right-to-food-campaign.
- Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for parents and carers to keep children safe online.