When baby is 6 weeks of age they should have a 6 week check which is carried out by a GP, this is normally combined with the mothers 6 week postnatal check. From then on the health visitor will carry on doing regular checks up until the child is 5 years of age. You will need to contact the surgery to make this appointment.
We recommend all babies/children are up to date with their vaccinations. The vaccination schedule starts at 8 weeks for baby and you will receive an invitation to those and any further vaccinations that you child requires, you will need to make an appointment with the surgery for these.
Mental Health
First Response
CAHMS
Help in a crisis – if a child or young person under the age of 18 is experiencing a mental health crisis, you can now access Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) 24/7.
Self-referrals are accepted from children/young people and their parents/carers.
Please contact 0808 196 8708 (Freephone)
In the event of an emergency, please call 999.
A list of helpful resources, apps and organisations to support children, families and young people can be found here.
General Health
Childline
Get help and advice about a wide range of issues, call them on 0800 1111, talk to a counsellor online, send Childline an email or post on the message boards.
HANDi Paediatric app
The HANDi paediatric app gives up-to-date advice about common childhood illnesses and how to treat them. Click here to download the app (free on any Apple or Android device).
Immunisations
Useful Links
- Young Devon – a young people’s charity with the mission of making Devon a better place for all young people. They have separate Skills, Accommodation, Wellbeing and Voice teams that can help over 2000 young people a year
- Community Links – access a range of services and support for families and individuals in Devon and the South West
- Department of Health – Childhood Immunisations
- Family Lives – provides targeted early intervention and crisis support to families
- Health for Under 5’s – offers health information and support for a child’s development from pregnancy to baby, toddler and preschool, as well as offering support, information and advice specifically for parents and carers
- Tor Support – confidential counselling, advice and support for young people aged 5 to 25, in Okehampton and the surrounding parishes
- West Devon Action for Children – provides a range of targeted Early Help services to families with children aged 8 years and under