Parents Offered More Help In Southampton

NHS Southampton City will launch a new pilot project on Monday (20 June) which aims to provide parents with more information on the health services available in the City.

The project is being launched with the publication of an easy-read guide called 'managing your child's health' which will be issued to new parents at their child's six weekly health check and through Sure Start children's centres.

The guide has been developed to inform new parents of how they can care for their baby if they become unwell or injured.

The launch of the new guide coincides with National Child Safety Week (Monday 20 June to Sunday 26 June 2011) which aims to inform parents about how they can keep their child safe.

Charlotte Bemand, Commissioning Lead for Child Health and Well-Being for NHS Southampton City said,

"We have developed this resource for parents to help them decide how to use the City's services at the right time for their child. Particularly on the West of the City lots of children under five are attending the Emergency Department for conditions such as coughs and colds which can easily be treated at a GP surgery or local pharmacy."

Charlotte continued,

"Many parents often don't know how they can treat minor illnesses and injuries themselves. This guide will encourage parents to think about the options available to them and will save unnecessary visits to the Emergency Department."

Research has shown that face-to-face meetings are the most effective method of communication for parents in the West of Southampton, therefore 'managing your child's health' will be issued directly by health professionals.

The effect of the guide on the pilot area will be evaluated by NHS Southampton City and if successful it will be rolled out more widely across Southampton along with further seasonal campaign materials targeted at winter coughs, colds and flu.

'Managing your child's health' contains useful and practical information and tips on:

-Being sick and upset tummies
-Rashes and dry skin
-Understanding why your baby is crying
-Coughs and colds
-Accidents
-Teething trouble
-Chicken pox
-Ear problems
-Meningitis.

Remember if you think your baby has a serious illness or injury it's important to get medical help as soon as possible.

Parents living in the West of the City who would like a copy of 'managing your child's health' can request one through NHS Southampton City's Communications Team on 023 8029 6001 or email communications@scpct.nhs.uk