‘Grow Well in D&G’ is the work of the local NHS Child Healthy Weight team and council health and wellbeing staff.
The aim of the free app is to provide information on food and physical activity, such as infant feeding, sleep, potty training, and mental health. It also provides information on local groups and events, and links to initiatives such as Baby Box and the Best Start Grant.
The hope is that it will become a well used resource and also bring an element of fun into food and mealtimes, and other aspects of health and wellbeing.
Health visitors, midwives and other staff involved with child and family health and wellbeing have been trialling the app with patients in their homes. The feedback received so far has been overwhelmingly positive.
Fiona Paton, nurse manager for child and public health nursing, NHS D&G, said: “I am delighted that the Grow Well in D&G app will provide an easy link to evidence-based information for families with young children, which can be used alongside health and social care face to face services in our region.
“We aim to be inclusive to all, enabling parents or wider family members with caring responsibilities who may not be present at health consultations to access information. Our teams will provide details about the app to families they come into contact with, and support those unable to access it to get information in another way.”
Kimberley McLean-Guthrie, from NHS D&G, was part of the team which developed it and said: “Grow Well in D&G is essentially a ‘one stop shop’ for expectant parents and families with young children under five looking for information on health and wellbeing.
“I hope that the app is informative, helpful and fun for all who use it.’’
How to access the app:
- Download HealthZone UK from your app store
- Search for Grow Well in D&G
- Once you have found the app you will not need to search for it each time you go in to HealthZone UK
