Schools health
Coronavirus (COVID 19)
COVID-19 is an illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It’s caused by a virus called coronavirus. Children can get coronavirus but they seem to get it less often than adults and it's usually less serious.
If your child has symptoms or is unwell then it is important to act quickly. This can limit the spread of infection and rule out any other causes. Please access the NHS 111 online coronavirus service. If you child is younger than 5 years old please telephone 111 to speak directly with a trained NHS advisor.
We have included links to some of the information available for parents and carers. Please note that the links are to external websites and may open in a new window.
Find out information at:
- NHS - Coronavirus in children
- GOV.UK - (Guidance) What parents and carers need to know about early years providers, schools and colleges during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
- GOV.UK - (Guidance) Supporting your children's education during coronavirus (COVID-19)
- GOV.UK - (Guidance) COVID-19: guidance on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing
- GOV.UK - Study launched to monitor prevalence of COVID-19 in schools
ChatHealth
ChatHealth is a quick and easy way for young people, parents and carers to access confidential health advice and support.
Young people aged 11 to 19 years text 07507 327104 to get advice from a health professional. This can include advice on physical or emotional health, sexual health, relationships, bullying or drug or alcohol use.
Parents or carers looking after children aged 0 to 19 years can text 07507 327754 to seek advice about subjects ranging from breastfeeding and bedwetting to emotional wellbeing and behaviour.
Messages are delivered to a secure website and responses are provided by qualified school nurses and health visitors. Young people, parents or carers do not have to give their name to access the service.
Out of hours texts receive an automatic message explaining where to get urgent help (if needed) and when to expect a response. Texts to the service are usually replied to within one working day.
The service is available to young people aged 11 to 19 years and parents and carers of children aged 0 to 19 years living in Derby. It is run by the Derby Family Health Service which is a partnership led by Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. The ChatHealth text messaging system is used by several NHS providers across the country.
Vaccinations
Vaccines reduce the risk of getting a disease by working with your body’s natural defences to build protection. In total, vaccines are estimated to save between 2 and 3 million lives globally every year.
There are a number of vaccinations that protect children around the world from infectious diseases. Routine vaccinations and early year's vaccinations in England are available free of charge through the National Health Service (NHS).
It is important that you consider vaccines as your child prepares to start or return to school. Please contact your GP for more information.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) works together with governments, vaccine manufacturers, scientists and medical experts to monitor the safety of vaccines. This helps ensure that vaccines are safe for you and your family and this video describes how vaccines work.