We provide children's community health services on behalf of Cornwall Council and the Council of the Isles of Scilly.
We provide health and development reviews, health promotion, health protection and health improvement. We provide support for your unique needs. We work closely with:
- midwives
- GP’s
- hospitals
- mental health services
- education
- early years
- family hubs
- children’s services
- specialist services
Health advice
From Monday 15 January 2024, we have introduced a quick and easy way for young people and parents / carers to contact Health Visitors and School Nurses in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
Advice lines
Young people 11-19
- Young people aged 11-19 poster
- Text 07312 263 096
Parents / carers of children 0-5
- Parents / carers of children aged 0-5 poster
- Text 07312 263 423
Parents / carers of children and young people 5-19
- Parents / carers of children and young people aged 5-19 poster
- Text 07312 263 499
Users can send a text message, anonymously if they wish, to Health Visiting and School Nursing to get confidential help and advice about a range of health concerns, including:
- Sleep
- Child development
- Support with behaviour
- Toileting
- Feeding and nutrition
- Keeping safe and healthy
- Childhood illnesses and support with medical conditions at school
- Emotional, mental health and wellbeing
- Relationships
- Smoking and vaping
- Drugs and alcohol
The text messaging service is available Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays) from 9am to 5pm. When a text message is sent to the numbers, an automated reply confirms the message has been received. A trained healthcare professional will reply to the message during office hours within 48 hours.
Alternatively you can contact the service by:
- Telephone: 01872 324261
- Email: hvsnadvice@cornwall.gov.uk
Please note that this will not be an emergency service. Urgent health advice should be sought from an NHS walk-in centre or by calling NHS 111. In an emergency, dial 999 or go to A&E.
ChatHealth has been widely implemented at several NHS Trusts and healthcare organisations across the UK. It was developed by 2013 by an NHS Trust to offer more choice in how people can get help from local trained health staff in their area. In other areas where it is used young people say they feel more comfortable talking about their issues in a discreet message, whilst parents and carers say messaging is more convenient way to ask quick questions.
Share your views with us
Through listening and learning we will improve the quality of the service we provide and encourage good practice by our staff.
If you have been pleased with the care received by a member of staff from our service, let us know so that we may celebrate and learn from good and excellent practice.
Learning from Excellence – Feedback Form
If you are interested in being involved in focus groups please let us by emailing hvsnadvice@cornwall.gov.uk.
Your privacy
Find out how we use your information to provide services.
Compliments, comments and complaints
You can provide formal feedback on our service.
Work with us
If you are interested in a career in our service, please see our jobs and careers pages.
Visit our jobs and careers pages
Care Quality Commission
We are regulated by the Care Quality Commission. Please visit their website for further information.Care Quality Commission website
