Responsibility for two vital health services will be taken on by North Tyneside Council next month.
From April 1, health visiting and school nursing services, previously commissioned externally by the local authority, will become part of the council’s public health service.
The move is set to bring together a range of important services with the clear aim of putting children’s health and wellbeing at the heart of the council.
Health visitors and school nurses are public health specialists who provide support and advice for anyone within their local communities.
They offer a range of help to promote the health and wellbeing of the whole family, from supporting parents in feeling more confident, to assisting with wider issues such as emotional health and well being.
Cllr Margaret Hall, cabinet member for Public Health, said: “We are delighted to be able to welcome these services – and the dedicated staff who provide them – to the team at North Tyneside Council.
“We are committed to promoting the health and wellbeing of all children in North Tyneside and we are looking to build on our existing partnerships to help us develop and improve these services.
“We have been working closely with schools and GP surgeries in recent months to ensure that this transfer runs smoothly and that their will be no disruption to the vital services that families use.”
In order to support this exciting new development, health visitors and school nurses will be based at four community venues around the borough.
Regular community child health clinics will be held at Whitley Bay Customer First Centre, as well as the Riverside, Howdon and Shiremoor children’s centres.
There will also be additional clinics held at community venues around North Tyneside.
For details of your nearest community child health clinic, please contact your health visitor.
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