Tags: childhood illness

Updated Parent Tips

The cases of Chickenpox and Scarlet Fever have been rising throughout the UK – this can be worrying for families, and it can sometimes be difficult to know when you need to see your GP or get advice from your health visitor.

We are pleased to announce we have just updated our iHV Parent Tips on Chickenpox and Scarlet Fever. These leaflets will give you advice on what to look out for, how to look after your child or baby at home, and where you can get more information and support from.

Remember, if you are worried about your child or baby, contact your health visitor, GP or call NHS 111 for advice and support.

Go to PT - Coping with chickenpox

Go to PT - Coping with scarlet fever

 

New resources on managing the most common childhood illnesses

While the impact of COVID-19 on children is thought to be minimal, evidence is emerging that children and families are unsure about how to manage common childhood illnesses and when/ where to seek medical advice.

The Royal College of Paediatricians and Child Health (RCPCH) has raised concerns that families are worried about the risks of infection from COVID-19 and are not accessing medical advice as soon as is needed. To support parents, the RCPCH and “Healthier Together” have produced a guide, “Advice for parents during coronavirus”.

Download Advice for parents during coronavirus

The iHV has also been working with “Healthier Together” and today we are launching five new “Parent Tips” on managing the most common childhood illnesses, with signposting to further advice for parents to help ensure children get the right care at the right time and right place.

PT - Wheeze and breathing difficulties

PT - Fever / high temperature

PT - Rashes: When should you worry?

PT - Diarrhoea and Vomiting (D&V)

PT - Head injury

We have also developed a new Good Practice Point to support health visitors make the best use of these Parent Tip resources and provide evidence-based advice when parents are unsure what to do when their child is unwell.

GPP - Managing childhood illnesses

Acknowledgement and thanks:

The content of these Parent Tip advice sheets was developed by “Healthier Together” and adapted by the Institute of Health Visiting with permission from Dr Sanjay Patel. More information on the full range of Healthier Together resources and what to do if you are worried that your child is unwell are available here:

Go to Healthier Together