Healthier Together: Trusted NHS Advice Parents and Caregivers in the North East
Healthier Together is an NHS website and smartphone app designed specifically for parents and caregivers in the North East and North Cumbria.
The aim is to improve the health of babies, children and young people with advice, helpful resources and information directly from healthcare professionals.
The Website
The Healthier Together website, found at nenc-healthiertogether.nhs.uk, has practical help and advice on everyday issues, like if your child has a cough or how to tell between a sore throat and tonsillitis.
![Popular topics: My baby/child hasa. cough! Sore throat or tonsilitis (what is it?) Difficulty breathing and wheezing. BBC's emergency essentials programme link.](https://northgosforthpcn.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/11/Screenshot-2022-11-24-at-14.53.14-1024x360.png)
Parents and caregivers can find answers to the question ‘Should my child go to school or nursery today?’ by looking at the specific guidance for a range of common childhood illnesses and ailments.
There are also resources to support children in the longer-term, such as maintaining their emotional wellbeing, or if you have concerns or questions about your child’s development.
The most popular topics will be displayed at the top of the page, underneath the search functions and links to download the Healthier Together app.
The App
The Healthier Together app is available to download for free from both the App Store (ios) and Google Play (Android).
The app is very directional and designed to give parents and caregivers advice on managing their child’s health at that particular time. It is intended to reduce worry and anxiety about making the right choices for children and avoid unnecessary trips to the GP or Accident and Emergency.
On first use, the app will guide users through what it can help with, how to spot ‘red flag’ symptoms, and how to access the most common forms of care and support.
![Childhood Illnesses
Healthier Together has been developed in partnership with parents and NHS healthcare professionals. It provides clear information on common illness in children from birth up to 18 years of age.](https://northgosforthpcn.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/11/IMG_3597.png)
![Emergency
Learn what 'red-flag' signs to look out for and where to seek help if required. Call 999 directly or locate your nearest A&E department based on your current location or postcode.](https://northgosforthpcn.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/11/IMG_3598.png)
![GP Practice
Skip the call queues and inform your CP practice directly about your child's symptoms when your child needs be assessed by a healthcare professional.
Your GP practice will then contact you to discuss further. For out of hours care, the app will direct you to NHS 111.](https://northgosforthpcn.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/11/IMG_3599.png)
![Care at Home
Access self-care advice when appropriate to avoid unnecessary contact with healthcare services and what you should do to keep your child comfortable and how long their symptoms are likely to last.](https://northgosforthpcn.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/11/IMG_3602.png)
![Pharmacy
Locate your nearest pharmacy based on your current location or postcode. Easily identify pharmacies that are open late and provide parking facilities and disabled access.](https://northgosforthpcn.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/11/IMG_3603.png)
![A screenshot from the Healthier Together app ask the suer to selection the condition that best describes their child's symptoms. Imahed below are labelled Asthma Attack, Breathing Issues, Conjunctivitis, Cough and Cold, Diarrhoea and Vomit, Earache](https://northgosforthpcn.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/11/IMG_3604.png)
Parents or caregivers can create a profile within the app for each child they look after, including their age, gender and the GP they are registered with.
When looking for help, you can choose the profile of the unwell child and select from some easy-to-use options about their condition and symptoms. The app will check for any ‘red ‘flag’ issues that require emergency treatment and then, based on your answers, gives clear answers to your best course of action.
The app is free to download and use. All data entered into the app is encrypted and stored locally on your device and cannot be accessed by third parties.