"Tatty - Why do you have to be present when your child steps on the scales? Can't she do it alone? Or do you think the nurse might abuse her?"
No, its not about abuse at all.
By me being present at all health checks, I can ensure the health checks are conducted in a way I am content with. If they are not, I can give feedback, change provider, change GP surgery. If they are but I have questions, I can ask there and then, at the time, and not have to ring someone up or be passed around a system.
By me being present, it perpetuates a system where the child's health is in the hands of loving parents and a GP/health care provider that is chosen by the parent and vetoed by the parent if they are not to their liking.
Quality of care can be controlled.
To the person who asked me if I'll be hauling ass into school for all the health checks - no, I wont, I wont be giving them permission for my child to be weighed.
Not sure about sight tests and hearing screening either - haven't considered this yet - I can say that I refused permission for my newborn daughter to have infant hearing screening in the hospital as a newborn though. This was an example of me applying quality control and vetoing a service I did not feel they were competent enough to perform.