Should you need urgent health advice please contact your GP or call NHS 111. In an emergency please visit A&E or call 999
Respiratory illnesses helpline supporting parents/carers from Black, Asian and minority communities.
This winter, there will be an influx of coughs, colds and chest infections in children aged 0-3. To reduce increased pressure on local healthcare systems, Barnardo’s has been funded by NHS England and Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) to provide a helpline advising on respiratory illnesses, focused on supporting parents/carers from Black, Asian and minority communities, which will be open to families across Nottinghamshire to make use of.
The Boloh helpline can provide advice, guidance and signposting support to partners/carers who are unsure about what to do if their child has a chest infection. It can provide information via its helpline advisors to:
- Recognise signs and symptoms of chest infections
- How to access the right health support
- Self-manage respiratory infections at home
- Speak to a nurse or doctor if required via NHS 111 and 999
- Register with GPs
Helpline advisors can also provide parents/carers with practical support to meet their child’s needs. Parents/carers can call the Boloh helpline on 0800 151 2605. Professionals can also refer their service users to the helpline and a helpline advisor will contact them. Referrals can be made via the Boloh referral form
The helpline advisors are trained to provide advice about respiratory illnesses in children aged 0-3. Advisors can provide a service in English, Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, Albania, Polish, Luganda, Ruyankole, Rukiga, Rutooro and Kinyarwanda. Interpreters can be provided for other languages. Health professionals can refer parents/carers to Boloh and a helpline advisor will call them back.
You can find information on Barnardo’s website
A printable public health awareness poster and health information card can be downloaded here: Boloh public health awareness Poster
This campaign has been developed in partnership with the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) and an Expert Clinical Advisory Group.
