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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think the 1 year health visitor appointments shouldn’t be scrapped?

52 replies

coffeeforone · 22/08/2019 08:41

DS is 10 months and I was awaiting the appointment for his 9-12 month review. I was a bit surprised to just receive an Ages and Stages Questionnaire and a prepaid envelope to tick the boxes and return.
The accompanying letter indicates there will be no review, but just a reminder to book 1 year vaccinations and the standard contact details if we have any concerns.
Part of me thinks great - no need to get time off work, we are generally happy with how DS is doing so why waste everyone’s time when resources are clearly limited.
But another part of me thinks it’s a shame that every baby doesn’t get a one year follow up. There were some useful things that came out of DS1’s 2.5 year review (brilliant advice on potty training that worked in a few days for example). I also wanted to mention DS’s allergies and ask if they had any advice or private recommendations for as there are long NHS waiting lists (9 month wait for an allergy clinic appointment!).
Most importantly, if they actually see the child and talk to the parent they could pick up more worrying risk factors - anyone can tick the right boxes on a form!

OP posts:
SnuggyBuggy · 22/08/2019 08:43

Like many things it will disproportionately affect the most vulnerable children

Sirzy · 22/08/2019 08:44

I think with them being stretched so thin it is generally just a waste of time/resources to visit everyone based on age. I think being easily accessible to those who need the support is much more useful generally.

In an ideal world there would be regular “check in” appointments but for most people they are probably more of a hassle than a benefit.

roseapothecary · 22/08/2019 08:44

Where in the country are you? I'm in the midlands. My DS was 1 in April and had his 1 year review in June. It wouldn't surprise me though. Already where I live they have gotten rid of the midwife and health visitor home visits after the birth. Had 1 HV visit after about 10 days and that was it.

Original poster
coffeeforone · 22/08/2019 08:46

I'm in the south east.

OP posts:
PleaseGoogleIt · 22/08/2019 08:46

I'm in West Yorkshire and DD had a review at 11 months, that was 2 months ago. Sounds like it's area specific.

I haven't generally needed a HV for anything throughout DD's first year of life but I did like that confirmation of the 1 year check that everything was going OK and she was on track with milestones etc.

AmIThough · 22/08/2019 08:48

I'm also in the Midlands and HV said she'll see us when DD is 1 if we don't need her before.
I wonder if they do the check at doctors when you go for the vaccs.

redbirdblackbird · 22/08/2019 08:48

I’ve just had this through for my 10 month old. My two year old didn’t have a two year check either, same thing

herculepoirot2 · 22/08/2019 08:50

I thought it was a complete waste of time.

EssentialHummus · 22/08/2019 08:51

Ours was in person but consisted of a literal box-ticking exercise. I thought it was a waste of the HV’s time. Yes my child can sit up and recognise her name but not yet pick up a Cheerio off the floor. Whoop de fucking do. I’d rather do this sort of thing remotely/have a list to check myself and have HVs use that time more productively for people who need support (or to find such people in a more nuanced way).

Original poster
coffeeforone · 22/08/2019 08:51

I did have a HV home visit after the midwife signed us off (community midwife appointments after birth we're not at home though but we did get a couple of local appointments in the first 10 days where we took him to be weighed etc).

For DS1 the HV never visited home, but we did have an appointment at a children's centre at 2 weeks and again at 10 months. I was just expecting the same for DS2 but it's not a problem, just got me wondering if it could potentially be.

OP posts:
tappitytaptap · 22/08/2019 08:53

My now 3 year old had one at about 10.5 months, DS2 is almost 11 months and not had a letter. Whilst I'm not particularly concerned about him I thought it might be a good opportunity to chat through a few things with a HV and get him weighed and measured. We're in South Yorkshire so not sure if its been dropped here too.

Original poster
coffeeforone · 22/08/2019 08:53

Yes, sounds like it does depend on the area you live, as always!

OP posts:
Saisong · 22/08/2019 08:56

I'm in South East too and they scrapped these years ago - my eldest is 12 and never had anything beyond the 6 week check.

tappitytaptap · 22/08/2019 08:56

I agree though that it will affect vulnerable children; if I had concerns over development etc I'd visit the HV but concerned other parents wouldn't.

Twistering · 22/08/2019 08:56

@roseapothecary they’ve scrapped the post birth midwife appointments?! Having just had my first they were so important. Tbf I was surprised when discharged from hospital that they said the midwife would be round in the morning (on a Sunday) but all the visits were a flipping godsend. Bloody cuts.

SaddleGoose · 22/08/2019 08:57

I'm in East Midlands and my DS had a check up at 9months. Filled in the 8-12 questionnaire and took it with us. It was a complete waste of time, she didn't help at all. She said he has to be seen again in 2 months because he didn't give her the toy back or put it in the bucket🙄 apparently that's a lack of communication.

thecatsthecats · 22/08/2019 08:58

Most importantly, if they actually see the child and talk to the parent they could pick up more worrying risk factors - anyone can tick the right boxes on a form!

Well, not everyone will return the form. Maybe that's the way to get a visit?

BeanBag7 · 22/08/2019 08:58

For the majority of people the one year check is a waste of time. If you're an engaged parent you will notice that your baby is developing and how he is doing compared to peers. If you have a specific question e.g. about allergies, phone them up. It doesnt require an hour of the HVs time to answer that question.

I do however think for the minority of parents who are struggling but dont have the confidence/support to ask for help, this will be a problem. In general it will be the disadvantaged families who miss out on yet more help and fall even further behind.

Sirzy · 22/08/2019 08:58

But actually those children/families who are vulnerable should surely have been picked up before the age of 1? The HV and others (if necessary) should already be aware of the family and be supporting them as needed not just in a tick box “oh they are 1 better visits” way.

Choice4567 · 22/08/2019 08:58

I still had dd2 in June. I agree whilst it wasn’t necessary for the box checking, it was good to get her weighed and measured as all our local centres have closed down so I couldn’t get her weighed anywhere else

Also more importantly your right; if someone isn’t looking after their child or isn’t bothered about what not hitting milestones may mean, they’ll just tick all the yes boxes and send it back

ItsABubbleParty · 22/08/2019 08:59

I think they should keep them for vulnerable people but I remember my child's was hellish. They didn't take any background in to account and a health visitor's assistant disagreed with the paediatric consultant and physiotherapist Hmm. HV assistant told me that child had possible delays because they weren't walking at 12 months which is bollocks.

SellFridges · 22/08/2019 09:01

I think they should focus resources where they are needed. If you have concerns then you can pop in.

I took time off work for DS’s and the HV didn’t turn up so I went back to work two hours after the appointment time. They are clearly over stretched.

Original poster
coffeeforone · 22/08/2019 09:02

Well, not everyone will return the form. Maybe that's the way to get a visit?

I did wonder what would happen if they didn't return it! I assume something similar to if you didn't turn up to a 1 year check. Would they follow up/rearrange an appointment or just leave it?

OP posts:
x2boys · 22/08/2019 09:02

It was pretty unhelpful for my son he sailed through it he has severe autism and learning disabillities,iand development delay n fact I didn't find the health visitors at all helpful tbh .

pennypineapple · 22/08/2019 09:05

I thought mine was a waste of time too to be honest.

In an ideal world we'd all have a named health visitor we could build a relationship with as the child grows. They would actually get to know the child and mother and be able to pick up any concerns early.
In reality I literally never saw the same health visitor twice and they all gave different advice anyway.

When resources are so stretched, better to target the service at those who really need it. I remember DD got free books at her one year check, we don't need free books she has about a million already! There must be better ways to spend that money.

As long as people still have the option of getting in touch with specific concerns (which it sounds like you do) then I don't think one year checks for everyone are necessary.