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
- GPs
- hospitals
- mental health services
- education
- early years
- family hubs
- children’s services
- specialist services
Health advice
We are the Best Start Community Health and Wellbeing Service. We provide health care and support through the Healthy Child Programme for:
families and children from before birth through school and college, and
for young people with SEND up to age 25
We work closely with voluntary and other partner services.
On our health visiting and school nursing web pages you will find information on the support we can offer. We also provide lots of trusted self-help resources, advice and information, for parents, children and young people.
Health Visiting
For expectant parents, and parents of children up to school age
If you are expecting a baby, your midwife will refer you to our Health Visiting service. We will contact you in the later stages of pregnancy to welcome you to the service, which provides tailored support to you and your family.
If your child has had their 2 to 2 and a half year review and is not receiving additional support, you can contact our Health Advice Line or or text ChatHealth. Alternatively, your can complete our online referral form, to request support from a health visitor.
School Nursing
Support for children and young people age 5-19 (and up to 25 with special educational needs and disabilities)
Children and young people, or their parents/carers, can access school nurse support through:
our health advice line
text service (ChatHealth), or
drop-in clinics in secondary schools
They can also complete our our online referral form, to request support from the school nursing team.
You can access confidential health advice, information and support from a registered nurse using our health advice line and text service (ChatHealth). These are available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm (excluding Bank Holidays).
To access advice text the number most appropriate below:
Cornwall
Young people: Text 07312 263 096
Parents / carers of children aged 0-5: Text 07312 263 423
Parents / carers of children aged 5-19: Text 07312 263 499
Isles of Scilly
Young people: Text 07480 635 905
Parents / carers of children aged 0-19: Text 07507 330 482
If you prefer to telephone or email the advice line, you can contact us at:
Telephone: 01872 324261
Email: hvsnadvice@cornwall.gov.uk
Please note that this is not 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
Professionals can refer children, young people or families to the service by completing our online referral form. You should ensure that consent is obtained first.
Online referral form
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
Freedom to Speak Up
Freedom to Speak Up Guardians can be contacted by emailing speakup@cornwall.gov.uk.
Care Quality Commission
We are regulated by the Care Quality Commission. Please visit their website for further information.Care Quality Commission website
