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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Neighbour unhappy about HV

201 replies

shannue · 09/01/2025 11:56

I received a telephone call from a HV just before Xmas to advise me that she would be visiting my neighbour at XX date and if she could visit me after.

I have had a very bad experience with the whole HV service in general and have made a complaint about a HV in the past.

Anyway despite me Opting Out this HV still emails, texts and calls every other month or so and she doesn't seem to leave me alone despite me telling her there are no concerns and I will take him to the GP as I always do.

Anyway I saw my neighbour yesterday and mentioned to it in passing that the HV had called me and wanted to visit me after she had been to hers and what was her experience with this HV as I found her quite harassing.

The neighbour got very upset and thought the HV had discussed things with me and said she has breached GRPR and advising people of her appointment, she was very upset with the HIV and wants me to make a complaint for us both.

I am not really sure if the HV had breached any GRPR?
I mean this HV is a real nuisance and is harassing but does it warrant a complaint?

OP posts:
SoapySponge · 09/01/2025 12:00

No, it does not. OK the HV is a pain but how will making a complaint on behalf of (or with) you neighbour make the situation better.

Drop it.

purplecorkheart · 09/01/2025 12:03

It certainly would be more professional if she said that she was in the area rather than saying that she was visiting a neighbour.

MissMoneyFairy · 09/01/2025 12:05

Why are you responsible for the neighbour, are you their carer. If not then the hv shouldn't be contacting you

ChateauMargaux · 09/01/2025 12:05

I would complain that this health visitor continues to contact you despite you telling her that you do not wish to opt into their services. I would also mention that she mentioned that she was visiting your neighbour and who that was and that this has upset your neighbour.

EmBear91 · 09/01/2025 12:06

Yes, she has broken confidentiality by telling you that your neighbour has an appointment with her. Having said that, why can’t she complain herself?

ChateauMargaux · 09/01/2025 12:06

How will it make it better: Health visitor will hopefully cease contact and realise that some people do not wish their neighbours to know that they are in receipt of external support.

lostinthememory · 09/01/2025 12:07

I'd complain.

She shouldn't have told you she was visiting a neighbour, and to be honest she shouldn't be contacting you when you've opted out

Vinvertebrate · 09/01/2025 12:07

Yes, she should not have disclosed the appointment with a neighbour. Neighbour right to be upset but should complain herself.

OnlyMothersInTheBuilding · 09/01/2025 12:07

It was poor practice on behalf of the HV if she was specific about which neighbour she was visiting - did she name her or did you work it out?

Having said that I'm not sure that alone would make me feel a complaint was warranted, but what you've said about her other practice suggests it's a wider issue with lacking boundaries and overstepping - part of the same set of issues you've had. So I would probably make a complaint about it as part of informing them about her not respecting your clear direction to withdraw from the service.

TomatoSandwiches · 09/01/2025 12:08

I wpuld make the complaint on my own behalf and mention in your complaint that you were told about your neighbours appointment which is imo unprofessional.

Timetochillnow · 09/01/2025 12:10

Did she name the neighbour she was visiting or just say ‘a neighbour ‘ as this is two different things.

MissMoneyFairy · 09/01/2025 12:12

Did the hv want to discuss your neighbour with you? Has neighbour given permission for you to have a meeting, how did you get involved in the neighbour, hv and taking them to the GP.

Hankunamatata · 09/01/2025 12:12

If she just said a neighbour then a doubt it's gdpr as she hasn't specified - as a neighbour could be anyone in your street.

Brefugee · 09/01/2025 12:12

SoapySponge · 09/01/2025 12:00

No, it does not. OK the HV is a pain but how will making a complaint on behalf of (or with) you neighbour make the situation better.

Drop it.

It is hugely unprofessional for an HV to disclose a visit to a neighbour. And if someone says "no, leave me alone" it is harassment to keep on contacting them.

And therefore the only way to get them to stop is to escalate. and keep escalating until it stops.

Hankunamatata · 09/01/2025 12:13

And being contacted every two months by HV isn't harassment.

TorroFerney · 09/01/2025 12:16

I think it's you that's overstepped by pressing the neighbour to talk to you about her experience with the Health visitor to be honest.

But also agree with others, did she say I am at number 10 so can I visit you after or did she just say neighbour and you worked it out. Either way it's not your complaint the GDPR one.

scoobysnaxx · 09/01/2025 12:21

TorroFerney · 09/01/2025 12:16

I think it's you that's overstepped by pressing the neighbour to talk to you about her experience with the Health visitor to be honest.

But also agree with others, did she say I am at number 10 so can I visit you after or did she just say neighbour and you worked it out. Either way it's not your complaint the GDPR one.

Agreed

Original poster
shannue · 09/01/2025 12:23

The HV specifically said "your next door neighbour" and it's not hard to work out as I only live in a street with 4 houses.

And it's not hard to work out as neighbours child is like 4 months old.

The neighbour said it isn't professional to be disclosing any kind of personal information on her as it's supposed to be a confidential service.

I feel very harassed as I have made it clear many times I do not wish to engage on their service, it is an optional service and I find it very harassing to be repeatedly contacted when I do not want the emails, calls and texts.

OP posts:
lostinthememory · 09/01/2025 12:26

Your neighbour is totally correct. Both of you need to complain asap

Anyotherdude · 09/01/2025 12:32

HV has shared information with you about a visit to your next-door neighbour, and yes, this is a serious breach of her privacy. I would escalate to the care provider: the HV has given you the best reason for not requiring their services - God only knows what she has been saying about you to your neighbours, she has broken trust, and actually should be disciplined.

ShinyShona · 09/01/2025 12:33

@shannue It's people whinging about stuff like this that bogs the public sector down.

User457788 · 09/01/2025 12:34

shannue · 09/01/2025 12:23

The HV specifically said "your next door neighbour" and it's not hard to work out as I only live in a street with 4 houses.

And it's not hard to work out as neighbours child is like 4 months old.

The neighbour said it isn't professional to be disclosing any kind of personal information on her as it's supposed to be a confidential service.

I feel very harassed as I have made it clear many times I do not wish to engage on their service, it is an optional service and I find it very harassing to be repeatedly contacted when I do not want the emails, calls and texts.

I would leave your neighbour to it if she wants to complain. If I were you and you've said no/opted out several times I'd block the number/email etc and if she persisted I'd make a complaint.

jimmyateworld · 09/01/2025 12:35

Yeah she shouldn't have said who she was visiting, but neighbour needs to make that complaint as that to do with her and not you.
You should complain about being contacted when you've opted out.

Ladamesansmerci · 09/01/2025 12:37

I work in healthcare and actually think this is piss poor from the health visitor.

I'm a community mental health nurse, and I certainly try and see people who live near each other at similar times, but I'd never dream of telling a patient is been to see their neighbour. It's a breach of confidentiality.

redskyatnight · 09/01/2025 12:38

shannue · 09/01/2025 12:23

The HV specifically said "your next door neighbour" and it's not hard to work out as I only live in a street with 4 houses.

And it's not hard to work out as neighbours child is like 4 months old.

The neighbour said it isn't professional to be disclosing any kind of personal information on her as it's supposed to be a confidential service.

I feel very harassed as I have made it clear many times I do not wish to engage on their service, it is an optional service and I find it very harassing to be repeatedly contacted when I do not want the emails, calls and texts.

Unless she told you the details of what they were discussing, there is no confidentiality breached. It's surely not unexpected for an HV to visit the mother of a 4 month old child, and, unless the HV wears a disguise, you might well have seen her arriving/leaving the house anyway.

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