Development checks during covid

[Russell19]

Hi all,

I'm just trying to find out if any authority areas are carrying out newborn, 1yo or 2yo checks in person?

I'm in Cheshire and ours are currently over the phone.

I am concerned about this for various reasons.

Mixed picture I think. I agree it's worrying.

Should also be offered a 6-8 week review with health visitor as well as physical check with GP.

I'm in Scotland. DS' six month and one year check ups have been done as a home visit.

Six week checks were done at the GP.

You should also be offered a six to eight week visit from health visitor

Sorry just realised you are the same poster - not necessarily the case in Scotland!

I had a 1 year old one over the phone last October. I am not sure what is happening with the newborn ones here though. Despite raising a couple of issues there was no in person follow up.

DD's two year check was done over a video call. It was great, actually - we could see each other, and DD was quite natural in her behaviour because there wasn't a stranger around observing her.

DS's 1 year checks were done by phone last year, I've had a call about some concerns in the last month and it looks like his 2 year review will be done by phone too. Given how health visitors were offered vaccinations months ago and should all be doubly vaccinated, I don't understand why they aren't doing at least some face to face visits again. My GP (who the HV referred us to) and who did see us face to face after a screening call, was also surprised the HV are doing nothing.

No health visitor has ever seen my 11 month old, his 12 month check was done via zoom whilst he was asleep and I could’ve been feeding her a pack of lies for all she knew. It’s terrible, my heart breaks for mums and/or babies who are struggling alone in all this. I’m just glad I’m not a first time mum!

Dgs was offered his 1 year check last month. He is 2 this month. HV couldn't say when he would be offered his two year check as they are "catching up" Dd turned down the one year check that was to be over the phone. We are East Midlands.

My DD 10 month check will be in person, I'm in the south east.

HV checks are useless you’re missing nothing.

Scotland

Let me rant again

27 month check phone by a HV out with area, older DD

Baby
Discharged day two.
I phoned day four concerned about five day heel prick, was asked to take her in (half hour drive, I had section)
Two week check phone, passed to HV team

Six week check phone
Three month check phone
Approaching six month check which will also be phone

Nobody has seen my baby in my home at all. I have had her checked as I went to GP and insisted. Due to feeding worries and paranoia as DD1 was taken back in twice for this.

I have written a letter of concern, they replied saying
Six week check
Three month check
Twenty seven month check would all be in person.....

Eh........

@CrabbyCat

DS's 1 year checks were done by phone last year, I've had a call about some concerns in the last month and it looks like his 2 year review will be done by phone too. Given how health visitors were offered vaccinations months ago and should all be doubly vaccinated, I don't understand why they aren't doing at least some face to face visits again. My GP (who the HV referred us to) and who did see us face to face after a screening call, was also surprised the HV are doing nothing.

Totally agree! Yet most of us teachers who are under 30 have had no vaccine yet and spend all day in a small room with 30 children and no PPE. It's laughable really.

Mines 27 month check is tomorow in person. South Wales

Baby is 18 months. I was sent a questionnaire and offered a check at 13 months over the phone but I didn't see the point. She's my third child though, so I know what a massive waste of time the HVs are in my area.

London borough here - phone call discussion followed by a video call for them to see my 1yo.

Our pre school children are really really being let down and it's so sad.

HV checks have very little use. If you are worried see the GP.

I'm a health visitor in Scotland.
We are currently doing all newborn, 6-8 week checks, yearly visits, 27-30month reviews and 4-5 year reviews face to face.
All other contacts are over phone/video call unless there's additional needs.
Appreciate this may not be the case throughout the rest of the UK

@PrawnCracker1 that's exactly what my area states, that's what they put on FB, but as per my previous response that's not what's happening on the ground here anyway. Neither my daughter nor any of her friend circle have had a 27 month check in person.

@MyDcAreMarvel

HV checks have very little use. If you are worried see the GP.

What about children who are at risk living in unsuitable homes who may have not been seen by anyone in over a year?

I am not concerned for my little boy, he is going to nursery and is developing really well. I am concerned for the invisible children who have absolutely no voice.

My mum (HV) does the majority of reviews on the phone, with new births and physical checks for 6-8 weeks done in the home and if parents are particularly concerned other reviews done at home.

I know she did a 3hr new birth in the home the other week because that's what the parents must've needed, so it's on a person by person case.

She tends to go above and beyond though, and burns herself out because they expect her to manage 650 families in rural areas.

@Russell19 I agree.

The other concerns I raised were re mothers health.

I refused to complete either the post natal mental health or the domestic violence risk assessment questionnaire over the phone.

Asking a mother if she is at risk of domestic violence via a phone call which, if she was, he is likely to be listening to concerns me greatly.

As,e goes for a post natal mental health question. How can that be done accurately without actually looking at the person.

It makes me very sad and concerned.