New health texting service for parents and carers

Nottinghamshire Healthcare’s Healthy Family Teams are launching a new text messaging service for parents and carers to access confidential health advice, with effect from Tuesday 29 January.

The Parentline text messaging service is an easy way for parents and carers to confidentially ask for help about a range of issues, such as feeding and nutrition, emotional health and wellbeing, child development, behaviour difficulties and family health. They can also find out how to access other local services for example, School Health Team, breastfeeding support or health visitor led sessions.

Parents and carers of children aged 0 -19 in Nottinghamshire can contact the text messaging service for advice on Parentline 07520 619919.

The service does not replace face-to-face contact with Healthy Family Teams but aims to offer an alternative, accessible method of contact and a flexible way to provide support.

Parentline is available from Monday to Friday 9.00am - 4.30pm excluding bank holidays. Messages sent to the dedicated number are delivered to a secure website, and responded to by the Healthy Family Team. Texts are usually replied to within one working day. Automatic replies will be sent to any messages received out of hours explaining where to get help if their question is urgent, and when they can expect a response.

Rhian Cope, Professional Service Lead for the Trust said, “We are really pleased to be able to offer Parentline to parents and carers in the County. It will make accessing health services easier and more accessible for them, increasing our reach to all families, creating another platform for parents and carers to connect.”

The Trust’s Healthy Family Teams comprise of multiple professionals trained in providing services to children aged 0-19 years and their families/carers across Nottinghamshire. Their work includes giving advice on emotional health and wellbeing, infant feeding and healthy food choices, development, behaviour, self-esteem, relationships and many more topics. They can provide one-to-one confidential appointments and hold drop in sessions in schools across the county.’

For further information please contact Rhian Cope, Professional Service Lead on rhian.cope@nottshc.nhs.uk