New text service launched to help Hampshire parents get advice on children's physical and mental health

The new ChatHealth service is available to all parents living in Hampshire – although not in Portsmouth – with school-aged children between the ages of five and 19.

The service, from Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, offers support on issues such as sleep, behaviour, toileting and health conditions.

Parents can text a question or worry to the ChatHealth number on 07507 332417 and a member of the school nursing service will respond within a day.

Monica Unsworth, school nursing team lead at SHNFT said: ‘We understand these are challenging times and this can be very overwhelming for both parents and children.

‘Our parent ChatHealth service offers a safe and confidential platform for parents to ask any questions about their child’s emotional or physical wellbeing and to share any worries they may have about their children’s health.’

The service also hopes to support worried parents as children begin to go back to school this week, as part of government plans to ease lockdown restrictions put in place due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Laura Din, mum to to seven-year-old Darcey, said: ‘These are just such worrying times for any parent. You just want the best for your child and to know when they go to back to school that it’s a safe environment for them.

‘I really welcome the new ChatHealth service as I naturally worry about my daughter’s safety and emotional wellbeing. It’s nice to know that there is a quick and easy text messaging service available, where a qualified health professional is there to answer any questions I have and put my mind at ease.’

The new service follows the existing ChatHealth messaging service for parents with children ages up to five.

Health visitors have in the last three months, advised more than 3,000 parents with children under five in Hampshire via a text conversation.

To use the new 5-19 ChatHealth text service, text questions to 07507 332417.

The service is available Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays) between 9am and 4.30pm on Monday to Thursday and 9am until 4pm on Friday.

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