New text messaging service to support parents and carers

Parents and carers of children aged five or under in Dorset can now access support via ParentLine – a brand new confidential text messaging service.

The service is provided by Dorset HealthCare’s Health Visiting team and will help parents and carers who need guidance about a child’s health and development.

Advice will be available about a range of topics, such as breastfeeding, bottle feeding, weaning, sleep, toileting, minor illness, behaviour and parenting by simply texting 07312 277162.

Mother of two children under five Annelies Attema, aged 30 from Upton, said:

“I feel texting is easier than a phone call as my eldest child normally interrupts phone calls and I find it hard to concentrate. With a text, I can write it and send it, then give attention to my child.”

Juliet Singleton, Service Access Lead for the 0-19 Children and Young People’s Service in Dorset, said:

“It’s fantastic news that we can now offer this additional service for parents and carers across the county. We want to encourage those that need support to text us so we can help them and provide the right advice in an easy and accessible way.”

Parents and carers can seek advice via ParentLine from 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays), with a practitioner responding to messages within one working day. If a text is sent outside these hours the parent or carer will receive an automated message with advice on where to get help if they require it urgently.

ParentLine is not an emergency service. For urgent medical attention please contact your GP, NHS 111 or 999.

For more information about the Trust’s Health Visiting team, visit www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/healthvisiting.