Young people can now text their school nurse

Young people using the ChatHealth service

Evelina London has launched innovative text message service, ChatHealth.

Youngsters studying and living in Southwark and Lambeth can now get health-related advice and support direct from their school nurse via text.

ChatHealth is an easy way for children and young people aged 11-19 to ask for help confidentially about a range of issues including bullying, emotional health, sexual health and illness, or make an appointment with their school nurse. The service is run by the School Nursing Team at Evelina London.

Janet Powell, Director of Nursing at Evelina London says: “ChatHealth is an inclusive and innovative way to reach out to our patients. By tailoring our health services to make use of technology that the smartphone generation is familiar with, we hope to engage young people who may otherwise be difficult to reach.

“We want to encourage young people in Southwark and Lambeth to discuss their health issues, and receive the support and advice that is available to them.”

ChatHealth allows young people in Southwark and Lambeth to send messages to a dedicated number. Texts will be responded to by the School Nursing Team within one working day. 

The service is available Monday to Friday 9am – 4pm (excluding Bank Holidays). Anyone who texts the service outside these hours will receive an automated message with advice on where to get help, if their question is urgent.

In areas of the country already using ChatHealth, for example Leicestershire, school pupils have said they like using the messaging service because it’s “less embarrassing, anonymous, and non-judgemental”.

More information for young people wanting to use ChatHealth.