Page 8 | To be surprised my health visitor asked this

110APiccadilly · 2023-02-08T22:30:26+00:00

DD2 has just had her 6 month check. The health visitor went through a list of questions, mostly stuff I'd expect, but one was whether I was up to date on my smear test. I was surprised as I thought these appointments were about DD rather than me. Apart from anything else, isn't it a bit sexist to assume they're going to see the mum rather than the dad? DH took DD1 to her 15 month check as he was her primary carer (I was the main earner) at that point. Bet he didn't get asked whether he'd had a prostrate exam recently.

fairgame84 · 09/02/2023 10:03

HV's don't do 6 month checks.

They do 6 month checks here in s.yorks.

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 09/02/2023 10:04

HV's don't do 6 month checks.
They do 6 week checks.

Health visitors do checks until a child is 2yo.

Geranium1984 · 09/02/2023 10:05

I think it's a good thing you were asked, is on my list of things to do but I keep forgetting to book an appointment.
HV is covering needs of parents and the baby. I went along to my DD 3mo recent check up and the HV asked about my mental health, she also asked if DH was OK.
My DH will take our 2yo for his review tomorrow and I expect they'll not ask him about a smear :)

StarsSand · 09/02/2023 11:32

Jesus of all the things to be upset about.

Her asking that question could easily save someone's life. It cost you nothing to hear it.

It's just good policy.

OhBitchPeas · 09/02/2023 12:19

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 09/02/2023 10:04

HV's don't do 6 month checks.
They do 6 week checks.

Health visitors do checks until a child is 2yo.

Indeed, I am an HV.

Clearly the OP's HV team are adhering to the very new healthy child programme core contacts which include 6 month contact.

Im surprised and impressed.
Theres a serious shortage of HV's nationally and as far as I was aware generally everyone was sticking to the 6 core contacts (some places 5, letting go of the antenatal contact).

Either way, good on the HV or staff nurse that reminded her about the smear!

Girlswithgoodbodieslikeboyswithferarris · 09/02/2023 16:50

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 09/02/2023 10:04

HV's don't do 6 month checks.
They do 6 week checks.

Health visitors do checks until a child is 2yo.

It’s until they start nursery here, so usually after their third birthday. There is a big checkup at 3 years old.

Girlswithgoodbodieslikeboyswithferarris · 09/02/2023 16:52

OhBitchPeas · 09/02/2023 12:19

Indeed, I am an HV.

Clearly the OP's HV team are adhering to the very new healthy child programme core contacts which include 6 month contact.

Im surprised and impressed.
Theres a serious shortage of HV's nationally and as far as I was aware generally everyone was sticking to the 6 core contacts (some places 5, letting go of the antenatal contact).

Either way, good on the HV or staff nurse that reminded her about the smear!

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When are the 6 contacts? I feel like I’ve had close to 6 already and my son isn’t even one yet, he’s not my first kid, and we have no risk factors!

ChickenDhansak82 · 09/02/2023 16:57

Smear tests are really important and are often overlooked and forgotten about after a baby, so it's a sensible question to ask.

Clearly they're only going to ask if it's a woman with the child, so not sexist at all. Just an opportunity for an important reminder.

Weallgottachangesometime · 09/02/2023 16:59

A different service being provided for someone based on their sex isn’t sexist. It’s the opposite, it’s attempting to meet someone’s needs on the basis of their sex. equality doesn’t mean everyone being treated exactly the same way.

kitcat15 · 09/02/2023 17:43

Girlswithgoodbodieslikeboyswithferarris · 09/02/2023 16:52

When are the 6 contacts? I feel like I’ve had close to 6 already and my son isn’t even one yet, he’s not my first kid, and we have no risk factors!

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May be you had feeding problems? Or poor weight gain.....or low mood ? You would then be universal us so get more visits

OntarioBagnet · 09/02/2023 18:00

GinIronic · 08/02/2023 23:26

Why is the HV asking this question? Is it so that the HV can tick one of her boxes to satisfy a local policy or target? Where does this information go? Who reads it or has access to it? If the information just sits in a file and kept in a filing cabinet - what is the point of the information gathering? If she was genuinely concerned about her patients health and screening history - the HV has access to medical records of everyone in her care - so the question doesn't need to be asked - the HV should know the answer.

The information goes nowhere. It’s not an information gathering exercise. It’s an individual health promotion exercise.

yes the doctors keep that information so public health can get stats for targets from them. Health visitors do not always have access to GP records, locally they’re actually employed by the council not the CCG so won’t have system access.

Girlswithgoodbodieslikeboyswithferarris · 09/02/2023 21:18

kitcat15 · 09/02/2023 17:43

May be you had feeding problems? Or poor weight gain.....or low mood ? You would then be universal us so get more visits

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Nope, we bottle fed, maintained or gained centiles at every appt (he’s gone from 6lbs6 to being on the 98th centile, lol) and didn’t have any signs of PND or anything. Stable relationship, no financial issues or anything.

I’ve just checked and we had 2, 4 and 6 weeks appts, then at 5m, and again at 8m. Next scheduled appt is 15 months I think.

We are in Scotland, so maybe we follow a different schedule.

kitcat15 · 09/02/2023 21:45

Girlswithgoodbodieslikeboyswithferarris · 09/02/2023 21:18

Nope, we bottle fed, maintained or gained centiles at every appt (he’s gone from 6lbs6 to being on the 98th centile, lol) and didn’t have any signs of PND or anything. Stable relationship, no financial issues or anything.

I’ve just checked and we had 2, 4 and 6 weeks appts, then at 5m, and again at 8m. Next scheduled appt is 15 months I think.

We are in Scotland, so maybe we follow a different schedule.

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Maybe….you wouldn’t get that in the NW where I am…..10 to 14 days…..6 to 8 weeks….9 to 12 months…..and 2 years…..that’s your lot

CmonYouKnow · 09/02/2023 21:52

Health visitors are public health nurses, the role is to promote health of parents and children up to 5.

Girlswithgoodbodieslikeboyswithferarris · 09/02/2023 21:56

kitcat15 · 09/02/2023 21:45

Maybe….you wouldn’t get that in the NW where I am…..10 to 14 days…..6 to 8 weeks….9 to 12 months…..and 2 years…..that’s your lot

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Oh really?! I feel like we hardly get any, I’m not fussed either way by them to be honest.

Things were certainly different when I had my 7yo. You could pop in to get them weighed at any time and so on.

Although we have had a lot of appts it has been quite shambolic - I had the same (wonderful) health visitor until my daughter turned 3, but with my son I’ve had three different named health visitors already, and I actually don’t know who my health visitor is right now. They have also been really awkward about scheduling, expecting me to be available whenever. Oh, and they told me to start solids at 5 months because he was a “big boy” and I told them noooope, no way! Especially since we did blw.

RosesAndHellebores · 09/02/2023 21:57

Smear tests are the responsibility of the mother/a woman to organise. My response would have been "that is a matter between my GP or my gynaecologist and I."

But then I exercised my statutory right to refuse any contact with the HV service. Because mine was wholly incompetent, impertinent and inexperienced. Mine told me she was responsible for ensuring my baby was immunised and talked to him enough for him to develop speech. I thought not.

kitcat15 · 09/02/2023 22:00

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Emmamoo89 · 09/02/2023 22:00

Chickenly · 08/02/2023 22:57

I was told six weeks when I had DD and she’s only 6mo now.

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I got told 12 weeks and my sons 10 months

Girlswithgoodbodieslikeboyswithferarris · 09/02/2023 22:03

RosesAndHellebores · 09/02/2023 21:57

Smear tests are the responsibility of the mother/a woman to organise. My response would have been "that is a matter between my GP or my gynaecologist and I."

But then I exercised my statutory right to refuse any contact with the HV service. Because mine was wholly incompetent, impertinent and inexperienced. Mine told me she was responsible for ensuring my baby was immunised and talked to him enough for him to develop speech. I thought not.

Oooh we have a hard nut in the house!

Girlswithgoodbodieslikeboyswithferarris · 09/02/2023 22:04

Emmamoo89 · 09/02/2023 22:00

I got told 12 weeks and my sons 10 months

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It might depend if you had a vaginal birth or a c section - I had a c section and I’m sure I was told 6 weeks, my son is 11 months.

JupiterFortified · 09/02/2023 22:06

What a complete non issue.

RosesAndHellebores · 09/02/2023 22:09

@kitcat15 thank you for your comment. You must tell me which charm school you attended.

Perhaps you could also elaborate eloquently about why you disagree with me, providing your vocabulary extends beyond "fuckwit".

The HV service was unable to convince me why I should rely on a 23 year old for parenting and/or public health advice when all they could do was read me a leaflet rather than provide any information related to evidence based research. Surely simple pimple for those with post graduate qualifications. Almost as simple pimple as putting down the pen to stop filling in the form. Tick, tick, tick.

There was no need to waste my time or scarce resources.

kitcat15 · 09/02/2023 22:13

RosesAndHellebores · 09/02/2023 22:09

@kitcat15 thank you for your comment. You must tell me which charm school you attended.

Perhaps you could also elaborate eloquently about why you disagree with me, providing your vocabulary extends beyond "fuckwit".

The HV service was unable to convince me why I should rely on a 23 year old for parenting and/or public health advice when all they could do was read me a leaflet rather than provide any information related to evidence based research. Surely simple pimple for those with post graduate qualifications. Almost as simple pimple as putting down the pen to stop filling in the form. Tick, tick, tick.

There was no need to waste my time or scarce resources.

So why did you engage with them…why didn’t you tell them you didn’t want to engage with. HV service..,.it’s not a mandatory service……far better that resources are spent on those who actually want to engage with service…you sound like the timewaster…..simple pimple?? …..Are you 12? 🙄

Dijoduo · 09/02/2023 22:16

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Spot on. “I was unnecessarily difficult, antagonistic and rude for absolutely no reason and I’m proud of it” doesn’t really come across as well as I think they’d hoped.

RosesAndHellebores · 09/02/2023 22:17

@kitkat. I did. I also made a formal complaint that was upheld. I saw the HV twice and she bordered on being emotionally abusive.

I'm 62 BTW. Are you always so rude?