Oxford Health’s health visitors work with parents of new babies and children, offering support and evidence-based advice, from before the birth of the child right until the start of school.

The service is designed to reduce health inequalities for parents and children. This is done through actively working with families as part of the Healthy Child Programme, a service that is offered to all parents in England.

Families from all walks of life may need help with specific issues that affect them and/or their children’s health and development, so the service provided to each family varies according to their needs, and evidence of what will work for them.

One mum said: “Great service, incredibly helpful and friendly.”

Health visitors are supported to deliver this service by other members of the team including Administrative Support Workers, Community Nursery Nurses and Community Staff nurses.

Another service user said: “Very professional, helpful service. Accommodated around the dates I was busy. Provide all the required information and date booked really easily. Thank you.”

Angela Smith, Health Visitor Matron and Clinical Lead for the service, said:

“I am so proud of our health visiting team in Carterton, Chipping Norton and Witney for the wonderful accolades they have been receiving from “I Want Great Care”.

“Throughout the pandemic and beyond the health visiting teams have continued to see young children and their families, delivering evidence-based health promotion advice and additional support where needed.

“As health visitors we are in such a privileged position, being with and supporting people at some of the most joyful times of their lives, yet also some of the most challenging and difficult times of their lives.

“At these times it is so important to have a health visitor who is non-judgemental and can build a trusting therapeutic relationship with parents. The accolades the health visiting team in Witney, Carterton and Chipping Norton have received, shows how they are doing this and that they are valued they are by so many of the families they serve. Well done to the team!”

A final reviewer said:

“I received fantastic support from my health visitor. She made me feel extremely comfortable, she was very reassuring and a great help to me when I was struggling. She was able to answer all my questions and give me the support I needed.”