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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder where all these health visitors are?

57 replies

ParsleyTheLion1 · 05/05/2016 21:29

Often, on MN, people suggest talking to 'your HV' (if you're worried about something, say). But where are these fabled HVs? I saw one a couple of times after DS (now 16mo) born but nothing since. I have no idea where they hang out once you don't have a newborn or how you would even go about finding one should you need to....

OP posts:
StealthPolarBear · 05/05/2016 21:56

Ok you should have a 2 year check. You should also have had an one year check but thigs have changed recently and they may not have been offering them. Should be now though.

StealthPolarBear · 05/05/2016 21:56

Offering a one year review is a requirement yes

GingerFoxInAT0phat · 05/05/2016 21:56

There are a couple of medical practices where the HVs near me are based. I did have to do a bit of googling to find them but once I did get in touch with my HV she has come out to see us and kept very much in the loop (suspected Asd in 3 yr old)

StealthPolarBear · 05/05/2016 21:58

If you really can't find them ask at your local council, the public health team should be able to help.

carabos · 05/05/2016 21:58

They're on the planet Zog with other mythical beasts such as unicorns and district nurses.

PeppasNanna · 05/05/2016 21:59

Grin carabos especially if you dont live somewhere nice!

summerdreams · 05/05/2016 22:00

Actually to be fair my son weighed sometimes weekly at hospital appointments and we had the 'outreach team' from the nicu coming in daily to weigh him as newborn so maybe thats why, though when I did get intouch with her it was very important they were useless.

Baconyum · 05/05/2016 22:00

Their remit is not just babies but (iirc) children up to school age and the elderly and anyone else that's vulnerable. I would hate to lose what is pretty much the last well staffed (?) Bastion of community nursing.

They're usually based in GP surgeries but even if not the gp surgery would be able to put you in touch.

My first hv was a useless nightmare, no kids of her own and everything according to text books!

2nd was fabulous, 5 kids of her own and very laid back with loads of realistic advice. Health visitors are usually the first hcps to notice problems, pnd, dv, abuse as well as the symptoms of various conditions.

sharonthewaspandthewineywall · 05/05/2016 22:01

I'm a hv.
I'm waiting for a thread about us that doesn't go the same way...so far so good

Oysterbabe · 05/05/2016 22:01

We have a weekly baby clinic here and you can just turn up to either have your baby weighed or chat to a hv if you have any concerns. I've been taking DD once a month to be weighed as she was preterm. She's up to the 9th centile now and probably doesn't need monitoring but I like seeing how much she's gained.
Last time the hv came to my house she said she'd see us when DD is 1.

StealthPolarBear · 05/05/2016 22:01

They are up to age 5. They don't work with the elderly!

StealthPolarBear · 05/05/2016 22:02

Sharon do you ride a unicorn? :o

sharonthewaspandthewineywall · 05/05/2016 22:02

Not yet anyway stealth- prob the governments next great idea

sharonthewaspandthewineywall · 05/05/2016 22:03

That was about working with the elderly but answers your question perfectly stealth GrinGrin

StealthPolarBear · 05/05/2016 22:03

They work with families with children of pre school age. The health visitors themselves are usually a bit older than 5!!

Musicaltheatremum · 05/05/2016 22:03

There is a huge shortage of health visitors. Our surgery has been messed around so much. One started recently who is fantastic but she is part time 3 days per week and was promised there would be a full time one to help her. This person hasn't materialised and she is carrying the caseload of 2 people. She emailed the other day and said she was leaving , not until September, but I thought what a waste. If you are a "core" family and no obvious concerns you just have to get on with it and only if you are a family in need do you get some support. They spend hours writing reports and going to case conferences. It is such a shame.

splendide · 05/05/2016 22:05

Sharon sorry to hijack a bit but do you know what sort of thing a health visitor will want to know if they're checking up on DS' lack of speech. I'm a bit nervous and would love to know what to expect.

sharonthewaspandthewineywall · 05/05/2016 22:05

How old is he?

StealthPolarBear · 05/05/2016 22:06

I love that idea!! The unicorn would need a fairly big boot for the scales and tape measure etc.

StealthPolarBear · 05/05/2016 22:06

Sorry unfortunate x post. Hope all is well splendide. X

splendide · 05/05/2016 22:07

He's 18 months, no words. Understands a lot, follows instructions, signs a bit.

museumum · 05/05/2016 22:08

We moved area when ds was 2 and got given a sheet with numbers and drop in clinics by the new GP.
I could certainly find an available hv if I needed one, probably one day a week.

sharonthewaspandthewineywall · 05/05/2016 22:09

Is his hearing ok? I wouldn't be terribly concerned if he was making sounds had a basic level of comprehension so turning to name, following simple instructions. I would refer for a hearing test first of all

splendide · 05/05/2016 22:11

Thanks Sharon, I'm not sure about his hearing. He follows simple instructions like "get your shoes" so I suppose it's ok. Hopefully it's not too serious.

sharonthewaspandthewineywall · 05/05/2016 22:17

My son didn't say anything until he was about three and then it was mainly nonsense Grin just be good to keep an eye on it