Health visitors

Health visitors are registered nurses or midwives with a specialist qualification in public health. They work with families who have children between the ages of 0 and five.

There are five key stages in your child’s development when you will be contacted by your health visitor:

  1. Before your baby is born (when you are around 30 weeks’ pregnant)
  2. New birth visit – between days eight and 14
  3. Six to eight week visit
  4. Seven to 11 month developmental review
  5. Two to two and a half years developmental review

Each health visiting team runs a child health clinic, which you can attend with your under five for advice, support and weighing. You do not need to make an appointment to attend the child health clinics, which are held in a variety of venues including GP practices and children’s centres.

Lewisham health visiting services are run by Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, whereas Greenwich and Bexley health visiting services are run by Bromley Healthcare.

Lewisham health clinics

Times

Clinic name

Address

Tuesday 9.30 am -11.45am

Sydenham Green Health Centre

26 Holmshaw Close, London, SE26 4TH

Tuesday 9.30am – 11.30am

Lee Health Centre

2 Handen Road, Lee, SE12 8NP

Tuesday 1pm – 3pm

Honor Oak Health Centre

20 Turnham Road, Brockley, SE4 2LA

Thursday 9.30 am – 11.15am

Bellingham Children’s Centre

109a Randlesdown Road, SE6 3HB

Thursday 9.30 am – 11.30am

Downham Health and Leisure Centre

7–9 Moorside Road, Bromley BR1 5EP

As health visitors we work alongside nursery nurses and support workers to provide a seamless service to our families. Some of our health visitors have undergone further training to become specialist practice teachers. This means they help to educate student health visitors. You will be informed if a student health visitor is joining the visit.

Safeguarding children is an integral part of a health visitor’s role and we work closely with our colleagues from children’s social care, GP practices and voluntary services in order to support families.

If English is not your first language, or if your hearing or vision is compromised, your health visitor has access to a pre-arranged interpreting service.

 

Being a parent can be hard!

Being a parent or carer is one of the most rewarding things you may ever do, but also the most challenging. Your health visiting team may be best placed to support you during these times. If you are low, anxious, sleep deprived, struggling with the ‘terrible twos’ or need advice and support for any other reason, please contact your local health visitor for support.

 

Getting to know Lewisham

Lewisham is a fantastic place to bring up your family. Not only do we offer wonderful breastfeeding hubs where you can meet new friends and have support from your local health visitor, there are also many free activities on your door step including: