Ways to get in touch
Local Health Visiting Teams
There are 12 local and one digital Health Visiting Teams in Kent. You can contact your local team Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, excluding bank holidays, for support. Your call might be answered by our digital team colleagues and referred to your local team if needed.
| Area | Phone | Appointments email | |
| Ashford | 0300 123 3092 | kentchft.ashfordHV@nhs.net | kentchft.ashfordhvappointments@nhs.net |
| Canterbury and Coastal | 0300 7900 156 | kentchft.canterburyHV@nhs.net | kentchft.canterburyhvappointments@nhs.net |
| Dover | 0300 123 3018 | kentchft.doverHV@nhs.net | kentchft.doverhvappointments@nhs.net |
| Folkestone and Hythe | 0300 123 1240 | kentchft.folkestonehv@nhs.net | kentchft.folkestonehvappointments@nhs.net |
| Maidstone | 0300 555 0506 | kentchft.maidstoneHV@nhs.net | kentchft.maidstonehvappointments@nhs.net |
| Thanet | 0300 013 4740 | kentchft.thanetHV@nhs.net | kentchft.thanethvappointments@nhs.net |
Other areas (Dartford, Gravesend, Sevenoaks, Swanley, Edenbridge, Swale, Tonbridge and Malling, Tunbridge Wells):
- Appointments: 0300 0132 241 | kentchft.healthvisitingappointment@nhs.net
- Advice and support: 0300 013 2204 | kentchft.dhvt@nhs.net
Some of our appointments are offered virtually via phone or video calls. You can find out more about these and how to access your appointment on our website.
Your local Health Visiting Team
The Health Visiting Service supports families with a new baby or child under five-years-old by offering advice and guidance.
Your health visitor will see you at least two times after your baby is born, when your baby is around 10 days old and a further appointment at six to eight weeks following birth. There is also a developmental review between nine and 12 months of age.
Shortly after your baby is born, you'll be given a personal child health record (PCHR). This usually has a red cover and is known as the 'red book'. It's a good idea to take your baby's red book with you every time you visit a child health clinic, breastfeeding drop-in, GP or other healthcare appointment. They will use it to record your child's weight and height, vaccinations and other important information.
While we are in your home: Please make sure any pets are secured in a different room
Some of our appointments are held virtually, either over the phone or via video call. You can find tips and instructions on our website, if you need any support for your virtual appointment.
We are here to support on a range of issues at any time including:
- infant feeding
- child development and behaviour
- healthy growth
- you and your baby/child’s emotional well being
- immunisations
- toileting
- sleep
- accident prevention.
Messaging service disclaimer
The Health Visiting Messaging Service operates Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, excluding bank holidays. Outside of these times anyone who texts us will receive an automated message with advice on where to get help if their question is urgent.
We may inform someone if we are concerned about your safety but we would usually speak to you first. Your messages are stored and can be seen by other healthcare staff who follow the same confidentiality rules.
We aim to reply to you within one working day and you should get an immediate message back to confirm we have received your message.
SMS text messages will only be seen Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, excluding bank holidays.
If you need help outside of these times contact your GP or call NHS 111 or visit NHS 111 Online. Our SMS number does not receive voice calls or MMS picture messages.
We support messaging from UK mobile numbers only (which does not include messages sent from landlines, international mobile numbers and some 'number masking' mobile apps). To prevent us from sending messages to you, text STOP to our number. Messages are charged at your usual rates.
Early years professionals
Visit our under-fives professionals hub for resources and to make a referral to the Health Visiting Service.