Derbyshire Family Health Service

04/11/2025

It is now easier than ever to look after your sexual health. 🩵

With the new Your Sexual Health Matters online booking service you can:

• Book or cancel appointments at a time that suits you
• Get secure messages directly from our team
• Order free condoms, delivered discreetly
• Update your personal details or accessibility needs
• Access triage support to find the right care for you

Your Personal Health Record (PHR) is completely separate from your GP or hospital records - it’s your space to manage your sexual health, safely and privately.

Take control of your sexual health. Visit our online booking page now: https://www.yoursexualhealthmatters.org.uk/home/get-support/online-booking-personal-health-record

[Image description: Smiling woman in yellow jumper uses mobile. Text: "Book your way to better sexual health. Quick, free and easy online booking. bit.ly/bookyshm." NHS and "Your Sexual Health Matters" logos shown.]

03/11/2025

Introducing your baby to solid foods, also referred to as weaning or complementary feeding, starts when your baby is around 6 months old.

Your baby should be introduced to a varied diet, alongside their usual breast milk or first infant formula.

For more information on introducing complementary foods you can visit the Better Health Start for Life website: https://www.nhs.uk/best-start-in-life/baby/weaning/

You can also chat to your health visitor at any time if you have any questions about introducing solid foods to your baby by using our ChatHealth text number: 07507 327769, or calling the information and advice line on 01246 515100. (Both available Monday - Friday, 9am - 4.30pm excluding bank holidays)

[Video description: A baby wearing a red long sleeved bib sits on their parents lap in front of a table and is tasting strips of cucumber, picking it up, and exploring the new taste and texture. The derbyshire family health service logo is in the top right hand corner.]

30/10/2025

Is your teen heading to a Halloween party, or are you hosting one yourself?

Halloween can be a great time for fun and creativity, but it’s also a good opportunity to have a quick check-in around staying safe and sensible. Here are a few gentle reminders to help keep the spooky vibes alive while making sure everyone stays safe and responsible:

- Hydration is key – Between all the sweets and sugary drinks, encourage them to drink plenty of water throughout the evening.
- Plan the journey home – Make sure there’s a safe and reliable way for them to get back, whether that’s a lift from a trusted adult, a pre-booked taxi or public transport.
- Know their limits – If older teens are drinking, remind them to take it slow, know what they’re consuming and never feel pressured.
- Stick together – There’s safety in numbers. Encourage them to stay with friends, look out for each other, and never leave anyone behind.

Wishing everyone a fun and safe Halloween!



[Image description: A group of young adults in fancy dress and face paint smile at an indoor party with drinks; Derbyshire Teen Health logo top right.]

29/10/2025

Are you pregnant or know someone who is? Would you like to know more about feeding and comforting your baby? Why not go to one of our antenatal feeding sessions and find out more about different feeding methods, how to get off to a good start and where to access feeding support.

Sessions are run all over the county - you can attend any session that is convenient to you. and you can travel to, not just your nearest session. You are also welcome to bring a partner, family member or friend with you.

Next months sessions are:

• Buxton - Tuesday 4th November 9.30am - 11am
• Long Eaton - Tuesday 4th November 10am - 12midday
• Belper - Wednesday 5th November 10.30am - 12midday
• Clay Cross - Thursday 6th November 1pm - 3pm
• Matlock - Monday 10th November 9.30am - 11am
• Repton - Wednesday 12th November 10am - 12.30pm
• Ilkeston - Thursday 13th November, 10am - 12midday
• Alfreton - Wednesday 19th November 10.30am - 12midday
• Woodville - Thursday 20th November 10am - 12midday
• Chesterfield - Thursday 20th November 09.15am - 10.45am
• Dronfield - Friday 21st November 09.30am - 11.30am
• Bakewell - Friday 21st November 10am -11.30am
• Bolsover - Monday 24th November 12midday - 2pm
• New Mills - Wednesday 26th November 10am -11am

To find out more, including the venues for these free sessions, visit the 'What's on' section of our website and use the drop-down Category filter to select 'Antenatal Feeding sessions':

https://derbyshirefamilyhealthservice.nhs.uk/about-us/news-and-events/whats-on

[Image description: Three pregnant women seated, engaged in an antenatal feeding session led by Derbyshire Family Health Service.].

28/10/2025

Keep your childs teeth BOO-tiful this Halloween with our top teeth tips 🎃

- Most sweets and chocolate contain sugar, but the chewy sweets can be super sticky and gum up the grooves (called fissures) on the tooths surface. Pay extra attention to brushing all the stickyness off to protect teeth from decay. 🍬
- If you can, its better to keep your child's trick or treating sweets to eat after a meal. It keeps the acid attack (caused by the bacteria in our plaque eating the sugar and making acid which softens the tooths hard, enamel outer layer) to a minimum, allowing the saliva in their mouth to strengthen the tooth surface again. 👻
- Try and spread the sweet stash out - see how long the supply can last!

[Image description: An orange background with a pictures of a Halloween treat table with themed cupcakes and sweets, pumpkins and spooky table decorations. The Derbyshire Family Health Service logo in the top right corner.]

27/10/2025

Keep Halloween fun AND safe! 🎃

Halloween is a magical time for kids, but there are risks too. The Child Accident Prevention Trust has put together 12 top tips to help families enjoy a spooktacular night, safely.

Please remember:

- Costumes can be highly flammable - keep children away from naked flames and heat sources
- Use bright clothing, reflective tape or glow accessories so kids are more visible to drivers in the dusk and darkness.
- Avoid masks that limit visibility - face paint is a safer alternative.
- Be cautious of button batteries in light‑up toys, and make sure battery compartments are secure.
- When carving pumpkins, young children should not use sharp knives - consider “no‑carve” options.
- Watch for choking hazards in sweets - especially hard sweets and small toys.

Read more here: https://capt.org.uk/halloween/

Let’s help make this Halloween memorable - for all the right reasons. 🎃👻

[Image description: Four mini pumpkins, paper bats and spiders, and a ghost biscuit on a peach background. Text says "Have a safe Hallowe'en." Derbyshire Family Health Service logo in the top right corner.]

24/10/2025

**You have just one more week to apply for your child's secondary school place, you can still apply after this date, but your application will be treated as late.**

Was your child born between 1 September 2014 and 31 August 2015 and in their last year of primary school?

You have until 31 October 2025 to apply for their secondary school place!

Find out more from Derbyshire County Council here - https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/education/schools/school-places/secondary-admissions/secondary-school-admissions.aspx

[Image description: Six smiling schoolchildren in uniforms stand outside a school. The Derbyshire Family Health Service logo is top right.]

23/10/2025

Pumpkin Fun 🎃🍂

It is that time of year again where the supermarkets are filled with loads of pumpkins.

Carving pumpkins has become a great Halloween tradition. If your child isn’t old enough to handle a sharp knife safely there are lots of other ways to decorate the pumpkins without carving, and avoiding the mess of the seeds.

- Nature foraging: Gather leaves, twigs, pinecones, conkers and other natural materials to create a beautiful autumn design. This is a great way to explore nature, get some fresh air and get crafty.

- Painted pumpkins: Let your little ones unleash their creativity with their paints. From vibrant colours to fun designs, every pumpkin can be a unique masterpiece.

- Pumpkin dressing up: Use old clothes, scarves or accessories to give your pumpkin a personality! How about a pirate pumpkin or a pumpkin fairy?



[Image description: Three decorated pumpkins—one with a black cat, one with green eyes and fangs, one with a stitched mouth and droopy eyes. The Derbyshire Family Health Service logo appears in the top right corner.]

22/10/2025

As the days get shorter and the air turns crisp, now’s a brilliant time to wrap up warm and take the children outdoors for adventure. The National Trust's “50 things to do before you’re 11¾” is packed full of simple, fun nature‑based challenges to keep young minds curious and bodies moving - whatever the weather.

From building a den, going on a leaf hunt and stargazing to playing conkers and exploring on wheels - there’s something for every mood and season.

Why not pick one activity a week and make an autumn/winter nature pledge together?

Here are a few ideas to get started:

Challenge: play conkers
Explore: go on a leaf hunt
At dusk: go stargazing
Get crafty: make wild art

You can browse the full list of 50 ideas (and safety tips) here: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/50-things

[Image description: Two children in autumn attire walk hand in hand along a leafy path. Sunlight streams through trees. Derbyshire Family Health Service logo is at the top right.]

21/10/2025

It is easy to forget about drinks when thinking about healthy choices - plain milk or water are the best drinks for your child's teeth.

If you are offering other drinks, try to keep any sugary drinks to mealtimes. Doing this contains the 'sugar hit' to one episode, this is much better for teeth as the enamel has time to repair. Frequent sips of sugary drinks stop the enamel repair and can lead to tooth decay.

[Image description: A young child in a white shirt smiles, drinking milk and looking aside. Derbyshire Family Health Service logo at top right.]

20/10/2025

Bright Coats = Safer Kids! ✨🧥

Did you know a brightly coloured coat could help keep your child safer on darker days?

The clocks go back this weekend, so as the evenings draw in, many children will be travelling to and from school in low light. A bright coat can make them more visible to drivers - a simple step that could make a real difference.

If your child is required to wear darker clothing, consider adding some reflective strips or accessories to boost visibility.

Let’s help our children stay safe and seen this autumn!

[Image description: A young child in a yellow coat and knitted hat walks outdoors at night, illuminated. Derbyshire Family Health Service logo is in the top right corner.]

17/10/2025

Was your child born between 1 September 2014 and 31 August 2015 and in their last year of primary school?

You have until 31 October 2025 to apply for their secondary school place!

Find out more from Derbyshire County Council here - https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/education/schools/school-places/secondary-admissions/secondary-school-admissions.aspx

[Image description: Six smiling schoolchildren in uniforms stand outside a school. The Derbyshire Family Health Service logo is top right.]