How to opt out of health visiting service ?

[Tealwallpaper]

Do i just write or call or do I just ignore appt requests ? It’s still an optional service isn’t it?
If I do this will I still be given a red book but where do I get it from if I’ve opted out ?

Why do you want to opt out? Sorry if I've missed the point... have you just given birth?

I only saw the HV team twice, once to weigh DS when he was a week old and once when he was about 6 weeks when we went from midwife to HV care.

Sorry...meant to say...so it might just be a couple of visits then you don't have to see them again anyway

Red book from the hospital when you give birth.

I would prefer to opt out this time round.

Don’t want to end up on some list of neglectful parents though.

Op when they write or phone with an appointment just say no thank you.

Why do you want to? It's 10-20 minutes once or twice a year & gives you an opportunity to ask if those little (or maybe big) things that have been niggling at you are 'normal' or not. If you're unhappy with your current or previous HV you can ask to be assigned someone else. You don't have to go to things like baby clinic (I didn't with dc 3,4 & 5) for weighing. Most are aware that the AQA questionnaires aren't all that etc etc.

To answer your question though, you just call them & ask to withdraw from the service. You should be able to get a red book from the hospital when you deliver or the gp.

@Rebelwithallthecause oops is that a name change fail

@Rebelwithallthecause @Tealwallpaper other than vaccinations, I really didn't see them much at all, but I worry if you make a song and dance about it, you'll end up on their 'radar' and they'll be involved constantly...

I just would like to avoid unnecessary appts and I feel like it will be pointless for me and them as I don’t really need the appts as I have a big family. We are really busy and I feel like it’s been going over the same stuff each time previously and I don’t feel I need that support

Why it be a name change fail? Is my post scandalous ?

When an appointment comes through just phone to say thanks but no thanks and ask about the red book. Just don't miss appointments and then be uncontactable.

@Tealwallpaper my reasons are more COVID based

I still don’t want people coming into my house with a new born that haven’t been able to isolate themselves.

Health visitors will be seeing a large number of people and will be in close contact.

It’s not ideal in this situation.

I also found them useless the first time round and gave out of safe advise

Safe = date

The health visitor doesn’t give a red book though?

After I gave birth the health visitor got in touch via text to make an appointment - I didn’t have the prebirth appointment because DC was a little early. I probably could have just text back no thanks. I don’t see the big deal though. I’ve seen a health visitor twice - not even the same one - once the first time, and the second time for DCs one year review.

I was told by my mw that they are told to flag to social services if you decline! I was shocked because I wanted to refuse for the same reasons as you.

They have said they want to do 2 appts in pregnancy the first 28-32 weeks then a ore birth appt then a new birth visit at 10-14 days ....
the 28 w one is a telephone appt but I’m the letter they said they will be visiting for pre birth appt? I really don’t need these appts and with my other children it was started at the new baby visit and that was 1+ hours to give me a million bits of paper and ask me the same questions each time and I feel I dont need the support It could be appts given to someone who actually needs them

@WillowySnicket that’s what I had heard too but never knew if it was true

I’ve only ever been given the red books by the hv ?

I think you might be overestimating how much face to face contact health visitors are offering at the minute!

Yes covid would be on my list too I think with a new baby and a large family not something we want to all have !

I’m due to give birth in a week or two and haven’t had any appointments made pre birth. Thank goodness! All I want to do is sleep

That’s what made it so annoying having the HV last time round after giving birth.

They tell you to sleep when baby sleeps, but she’s make an appointment and then not turn up on time, I’d want a nap but have to wait for her and be the time she turned up I was exhausted and in no mood for it

Oh yes the waiting for the mw or hv

And they don’t arrive at the time they say and you know as soon as you go for for a nap/shower/poo they knock at the door

@ChipotleBlessing they are taking measurements and heels prick tests of days old babies. That’s enough contact to be close to me

I’m not allowed to see my family but can see a HV who’s been visiting different families