Family Nurse Partnership

Our Service

The Family Nurse Partnership programme was first introduced in the Derry, Strabane and Limavady district council areas in 2010. The Western Trust was the first Trust in Northern Ireland to introduce the programme, which offers young mothers aged 19 years old and younger the opportunity to avail of professional one to one support throughout the duration of their pregnancy and up until their baby is two years old. The programme primarily focuses on the future health and wellbeing of the child and mother and centres on prevention and early intervention. The programme now covers the Derry city area, Limivady, Strabane, Omagh town area, Enniskillen and surrounding areas.

Parents are offered intensive and structured home visiting, delivered by specially trained ‘family nurses’. In doing so the programme hopes to bring about huge benefits such as readiness for school, improved educational achievement and a reduction in anti-social behaviours.

The FNP has been warmly received – every parent wants the best for their child and many struggle with the idea that they are not doing the best they can do. This programme helps young parents deal with these common insecurities, it gives them a place to turn if they are struggling or need advice on parenting. The nurses offer advice and encourage best practice methods to healthy lifestyles which will benefit both parents and baby. Parents can be relaxed knowing that with the help, support and guidance from the family nurses they are better equipped for daily life and feel positive that their child is being given the best care.