The Healthier Together website is the new place to go for Dorset maternity information

The Healthier Together website is now the place to go for local pregnancy, maternity and children’s health advice. 

If you think you are in labour or need urgent advice, please call the  Maternity Advice Line on 0300 369 0388. 

Follow Dorset Maternity and Neonatal Voices @Dorsetmnvp on Facebook for local, up-to-date maternity information.

A new way to find trusted maternity advice

People who are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or caring for children and young people can now find local trusted NHS advice in one place, through the Healthier Together website.

Healthier Together brings together clear, reliable information to support families before, during and after pregnancy. It also includes advice to help parents and carers decide what to do when babies, children or young people are unwell. 

All information on the website has been reviewed by local parents and carers, as well as local midwives and clinicians. This helps make sure the advice is easy to understand, safe, and relevant for families in Dorset. 

Maternity information all in one place

The Healthier Together website includes maternity information on: 

  • planning a pregnancy

  • early pregnancy and common symptoms

  • antenatal appointments and screening

  • vaccinations in pregnancy

  • keeping well during pregnancy

  • mental health and emotional wellbeing

  • birth planning and choices

  • pain relief and what happens during labour

  • when to seek help or urgent advice

  • care after birth, including recovery and feeding your baby

What this change means for families

The NHS in Dorset would like to reassure families that although the Healthier Together website will replace the current Maternity Matters webpages, the advice and care for people who are pregnant has not changed. The move is about making information easier to find and use. 

What to do next

  • If you are newly pregnant, Healthier Together is the place to let the midwives know and holds information about local hospitals so that you can decide where to have your care.

  • If you are already pregnant and have questions or concerns, the website provides clear guidance on where to find local support.

  • If you think you are in labour or have urgent concerns, you should call the Maternity Advice Line on 0300 369 0388.

The Healthier Together website is already widely used across Dorset and surrounding areas to support parents and carers when children are unwell. Bringing maternity and children's health advice together helps families feel more confident about caring for themselves and knowing when to seek help. 

Visit the Healthier Together website at www.healthiertogether.nhs.uk for trusted NHS advice and support. 

Frequently asked questions

The website has grown significantly over the past seven years. The information has become outdated, and you have told us that I can be difficult to find the information you need. 
 
Moving to Healthier Together ensures modern usability standards are met and provides more accessible experiences for everyone. 

Healthier Together is a shared platform developed with stakeholders and service users and is endorsed by the Royal College of Midwives.

The site includes accessibility tools and built-in translation features for a wide range of languages. Its inclusive design support people with disabilities, literacy challenges, and cognitive impairments ensuring more people can get the support and information they need, when they need it.

You will continue to find the information you need during the move.

There will be a period where both sites will be running at the same time to make sure you can access all the information you need and then, when all the information has been checked, the Maternity Matters website will automatically redirect you to Healthier Together. 

 We will continue to provide updates on this website about when the move will happen

No, your access to information, forms, and guidance will not be impacted. 

We are committed to ensuring that services remain uninterrupted throughout the move.

The move is designed to make your experience better. 

  • Easier navigation and clear, up to date information
  • Access to translation tools for multiple languages
  • Inclusive design that supports diverse needs
  • Consistent information across locations, reducing confusion
  • A modern platform that prioritises equity and accessibility

By entering your postcode and selecting your GP practice, the website tailor’s information, so the guidance and services you see, is relevant to where you live.