The Digital Health Transformation Service (DHTS) is an NHS project team that works with more than 80 NHS healthcare organisations to implement and support digital innovations. The clinically led team provides project management support, marketing expertise, technical guidance and ongoing partnership support to help health teams successfully adopt digital solutions that improve access, engagement and health outcomes.
The iHV has collaborated with Digital Health Transformation Service for a number of years and they have provided valuable support to iHV conferences and events.
ChatHealth: Making it easier for families to reach health visitors
Having a quick and easy way to contact health visitors can make all the difference to families. ChatHealth is a secure NHS messaging platform that enables parents and carers to contact their local health visiting team by text, making it easier to access trusted advice and support when they need it.
For health visiting services, ChatHealth provides an effective way to:
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Improve accessibility for families
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Offer a convenient alternative that families may be more comfortable with
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Support timely advice and early intervention
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Extend access to health visiting support through a trusted digital service.
Health Visiting Messaging Services
Health visitors use ChatHealth to support families with a wide range of concerns, including infant feeding, child development, behaviour, minor illnesses and parenting support. The service enables families to seek advice when questions arise, helping them access support from their local health visiting team in a simple and convenient way.
Watch this video of how a new parent was supported by health visitors via ChatHealth
This text service has been an amazing resource, providing accurate information and clear guidance on next steps. As a first-time mum, it has been a lifesaver.
Feedback from parents
ChatHealth enables families to get support the same day. This enables them to start using our advice straight away.
Feedback from health visitors who use ChatHealth
ChatHealth is used by health visiting services across England and has gained national recognition through its inclusion in the refreshed Healthy Child Programme. An iHV report, published in December 2023, featured a case study showing how a health visiting text messaging service helped to reduce A&E attendances.
A peer-reviewed paper has demonstrated the widespread evidence and best practice of health visiting services using ChatHealth to communicate with parents.
Set up a ChatHealth messaging service
To find our more about implementing ChatHealth within your service, contact lpt.teamdhts@nhs.net
For more information, visit chathealth.nhs.uk and read the latest Impact Report spotlight on Health Visiting
Health for Under 5s: Trusted health information and local support for families
Families increasingly look for online for information about their child's health and development. Health for Under 5s is a trusted NHS platform that brings together trusted health information, local services and support for families from pregnancy through to pre-school.
For health visiting services, Health for Under 5s provides an effective way to:
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Extend service reach
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Promote local support and events
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Signpost families to trusted information
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Support prevention and early intervention
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Deliver consistent public health information
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Improve access to local services and support pathways.
Dedicated Local Areas
Health for Under 5s is delivered in partnership with NHS organisations across England, combining nationally developed content with locally tailored information and support pathways. Each local area has its own dedicated section, enabling health visiting services to manage and promote:
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Health visiting information
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Local events and clinics
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Local service finder
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Topic-specific resources
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Local news and updates.
We have been able to develop a digital offer, using Health for Under 5s links within communications to parents, helping us provide information and support in a more accessible way.
Feedback from a health visiting service
Be part of Health for Under 5s
Health for Under 5s sits alongside Health for Kids and Health for Teens as part of the HealthWebsites family, creating a connected digital journey that supports children, young people and families through every stage of development.
To find out more about becoming a Health for Under 5s partner, contact lpt.teamdhts@nhs.net
For more information, visit healthforunder5s.co.uk and read the latest Impact Report spotlight on Health Visiting
