Is 6-8week check for myself mandatory??!

[Summersongsinwinter6]

Hello, I wasnt quite sure where to post this. I have asked to split mine and my baby's 6-8 week check in half as it meant a sooner appt for the baby. This was due to a mix up on their end with the original joint appt (long story.) I have since decided as well that I do not require a 6-8 week check for myself and havent bothered booking it in. I've had a baby before and know what it involves and had basically the same kind of birth and have been checked by numerous midwives and the health visitor. I literally would be eastinf the doctors time.
The stroppy receptionist told me it was complulsary and I 'had to have one!' Is this correct? I have now been told if I do not have one a red flag will be sent to my health visitor and she will visit.

[Summersongsinwinter6]

Meant to say wasting above (I posted it in a hurry)

[Summersongsinwinter6]

Bump

[ReallyLilyReally]

Your health visitor will likely just call, and then you can tell them what you told the receptionist.

[Summersongsinwinter6]

Thanks. I have never missed an appointment for my dd or ds and have been to everything. The health visitor has just seen me for her 6 week visit and had no concerns. I have only ever had routine visits and no concerns. This has really annoyed me that they raise a red flag over this and I feel it is very unjust. I am after all going for the baby's part of the check.

[ReallyLilyReally]

They have to raise red flags for this sort of thing - you may be fine but the next woman who skips her appointment could be really struggling and need help. The receptionist can't tell. I get it's irritating but it's definitely a good thing, and not at all unjust.

[Summersongsinwinter6]

Hmmm interesting... I have engaged with the midwifery and health visiting services entirely and have had all of the questions they ask already asked numerous times so I think any concerns would have already been picked up by now. Also the 6-8 week check I had for dd (my first child was a waste of time.) The doctor seemed to think breastfeeding was adequate as a form of birth control and advised me not to go back on the pill (something the NHS do not infact advocate.) She also missed the fact I was indeed struggling ad a first time Mum as I hid it well. This time I am doing very well hence not needing the check but didnt appreciate being threatened with red flag when it is plucked out of thin air and not in connection with any of my previous checks which have all been fine.

[Summersongsinwinter6]

I also feel I may have to report the incident. This is because if somebody was genuinely suffering from a mental health issue I dont think being threatened with red flags is very productive or helpful to that person and could actually make their mental state worse. Fair enough if the GP practice feel they need to investigate behind the scenes but I dont believe saying the latter to somebody you have concerns about is professional. A risk assessment should surely prevail.

[ReallyLilyReally]

I think this is an overreaction tbh.

[Summersongsinwinter6]

Thanks for your comment

[Summersongsinwinter6]

Maybe you are the GP receptionist in question

[ReallyLilyReally]

She's just doing her job, and getting paid fuck all for it too. Reporting her for following procedure just because you don't feel they apply to you is unnecessary and likely to cause trouble for a woman who has done nothing wrong. I don't have to be the receptionist to see that this is petty, "i want to speak to a manager" behaviour.

[Summersongsinwinter6]

That wasnt quite what I meant and please calm yourself. If the surgery did nothing wrong and that is the correct procedure than nothing will happen now will it?

[Summersongsinwinter6]

It's not the practice manager I skll be raising my concern with either, thank you for your supportive comments. Have a great weekend

[Summersongsinwinter6]

Also before you get back on your soap box naming names was not something I was going to do. Thank you again...

[ReallyLilyReally]

Id just like to point out, before you go, that the receptionist doesn't have access to any of your notes or previous visit details, and so has no idea how well you're coping or not. All she knows is that you're refusing an important check, and that is a red flag.

Who would you raise your concerns with if not the practice manager?