Children's Health
Health Visitors
Page last reviewed: 10 January 2026
Page created: 26 February 2024
Page created: 26 February 2024
We've put some small files called cookies on your device to make our site work.
We would also like to use google translate cookies and analytical cookies to understand how our site is used and improve user experience. Analytical cookies send information to Google Analytics.
Let us know your preference. We will use a cookie to save your choice. Before you make your choice you can read more about our cookie policy.
You can change your cookie settings at any time using our cookie policy.
Your child’s growth and their ongoing development and health are important for you and your family.
The websites and resources below offer helpful information and support:
The Better Health Start for Life website provides trusted advice and guidance for parents on a wide range of topics to help give children the best start in life. This includes support and information on:
You can find more detailed information and resources directly on the NHS Start for Life website>>
Health Visitors are all trained Nurses who have extra training and qualifications in child health and who can offer advice for expectant mothers and small children up to school age.
The Dorset Healthcare Health Visiting Service offers Well baby drop in clinics at our surgery on Thursday mornings between 10.30am and noon.
We encourage all parents to bring their children to the practice for immunisations, weighing and childhood checks. Health Visitors are a fantastic source of information about child development and health, parenting strategies, breastfeeding, nutrition and community support. They also offer help with social, emotional and environmental issues that affect families.
More information about health visitors and what they do can be found on the Dorset HealthCare University website by following this link>>
For families with children we emphasize the particular importance of recording immunisations and vaccination history of children, as this is an important aspect of your child's healthcare.
In accordance with the NHS Vaccination Schedule, we offer routine childhood immunisations.
Routine childhood immunisations include Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio and Haemophilus influenza type B immunisation, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Chickenpox, Meningitis B, Meningitis C, Pneumococcus, Rotavirus, Hepatitis B, and Seasonal Influenza.
Please note the schedule below for information on NHS vaccinations for babies and children and when to have them, or visit the NHS website by following this link:>>
We will contact you when your child is due for a vaccination. But If you believe your child may have missed a vaccination, please contact us to let us know.
The MMRV vaccine is a safe and effective combined vaccine that replaced the MMR vaccine in the routine schedule on 1 January 2026. It protects your child against four serious illnesses in fewer injections:
These conditions are highly infectious and can spread easily between unvaccinated people.
Why the change?
The addition of the chickenpox component (Varicella) helps prevent this common, easily spread infection in children. It is usually mild, but it can lead to serious complications which need hospitalisation, including chest infections and fits.
By using the combined MMRV vaccine, the NHS has also moved the second dose earlier (from 3 years 4 months to 18 months) to ensure children are fully protected before they start nursery or pre-school.
The Vaccination Schedule
Two doses of the vaccine are required for lifelong protection. There is currently no medical treatment for measles, so vaccination is the only way to prevent becoming seriously unwell.
The MMR vaccine is still available for older children and adults born on or before 31 December 2019 who were not vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella when they were younger.
Visit the NHS website for more information about the MMRV vaccine here>>
