6th September 2022
With children and young people back to school and day care, the Southern Trust is offering parents some useful health care advice.
Health Visitors are sharing information on how to recognise and deal with common childhood symptoms and the Trust will be sharing tips across its social media pages.
Julie McConville, Assistant Director of Child Health & Disability for the Southern Health and Social Care Trust says:
“Thankfully children and young people are returning to more normal activities following the past few years of COVID-19, however this does mean that with more socialising they will be more likely to pick up bugs and infections. Usually as we we move into autumn and winter we usually receive more calls to our services for common childhood symptoms like temperatures, vomiting and diarrhoea and we already have a few cases of bronchiolitis in our paediatric wards which is quite early in the season.
“We should all remain vigilant with the continued risk of COVID-19 and other infections in the community and there are some steps you can take at home to treat symptoms and to help you know when to seek professional advice.”
Mairead Donnelly, Head of Health Visiting and School Nursing adds: “We encourage parents to keep a stock of over the counter remedies like paracetamol, ibuprofen and teething gels to deal with general ailments in babies aged over three months at home in the first instance and if in doubt, ask your Health Visitor or community pharmacist for advice.
“Familiarise yourself with trusted websites like NIDirect, Healthier Together or the Southern Trust where you know you will find sound information on common symptoms like rashes, fever, diarrhoea and vomiting and download the BabyCheck APP from the Lullaby Trust.
“Most importantly – if you feel your child has very serious, urgent symptoms that cannot wait, please do not delay in bringing them to your nearest Emergency Department or call 999 immediately.”
Phone First – before going to Craigavon or Daisy Hill Emergency Departments or South Tyrone Minor Injuries Unit with urgent but not life threatening symptoms. 0300 123 3111.
Monday to Friday 9am to 9pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays).
A to Z illnesses and conditions/symptom search | nidirect
Health Visitors :: Healthier Together (what0-18.nhs.uk)
Birth to five | HSC Public Health Agency (hscni.net)
https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/baby-check-2015.pdf