A texting service called Let’s Chat 0-5 was launched to help families get in touch with the Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust health visiting team.
The helpline provides quick answers for things which might be bothering parents concerning their child’s health and development. The trust identified that its Health Visiting Service needed something to help with the number of inquiries, which was more than 3,000 in one month alone (June 2023).
The aim of the improvement project was to introduce a texting service for parent and carer inquiries regarding babies and children aged up to five and reduce calls to the Health Visiting Service, where quick and general advice could be given. The service was launched in September 2023 and there was a 14 per cent reduction in calls in June 2024, compared to the same month the previous year.
Parents and carers can text Let’s Chat 0-5 on 07312 263368 for quick answers to anything that is bothering them. The service operates Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays.
