Neighbour unhappy about HV

[shannue]

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?

@shannue oh that's different if your baby is older now.
I was thinking you had a newborn.

Yes, but having a mental health issue is different from having a baby. Neighbours are usually painfully aware when another neighbour has a baby.

I don't think it's harassment, maybe they wonder why you've never seen them

@MissMoneyFairy
I have explained to her numerous times my bad experience with the last HV and how if I need them I will call them.

So I do feel harassed by the numerous unwanted calls, texts and emails.

I don't like her intrusive questioning either, I keep explaining to her it's an optimal service but it doesn't seem to register with her.

Form a communication-is-a-two-way-street perspective, I think you are just far too chatty with her, she sees it as an opening and since she is pressured by her bosses to try and see everyone, she keeps going.

What if, every time she contacts you, you simply say “I’ve told you not to contact me” and put the phone down/shut the door. Don’t call her back if she leaves a message. Don’t give her your email or any other information she asks for. I agree, if you’ve opted out, the HV service should not be contacting you at all. But since they are, I think you could be more effective at closing her down if you want to.

When mine were little they were qualified professionals. I don't know about now.

When I used the term "good" I was obviously referring to her professional ability. If I'd be referring to her personally, I would have said she was "nice"!!

@mainecooncatonahottinroof Health Visitors are most definitely qualified professionals.
They are nurses who have then had extra training to become HVs.

I haven't had contact with a HV for many years now but I would be extremely surprised if that wasn't the case!

A PP claims that they're HCAs??? I really can't see that happening?!

It says on the NHS website what the qualifications required to become a Health Visitor is.
Definitely not being a HCA and having "2 days training" 🙄

mainecooncatonahottinroof
Of course Health visitors are qualified professionals. I
To train to be a Health Visitor you have to either be a qualified nurse or midwife and you have to take an additional year long qualification at either degree or master's level.
They are not HCAs with two weeks experience!

If I have understood this correctly the OP was told by her HV that she would be available to see her (the OP) as she (the HV) had already booked an appointment with her neighbour. This means that the HV let the OP know that the neighbour was one of her patients/clients/service users which is a breach of confidentiality. I am a former community mental health worker and there is no way I would let a patient know if another person in the same area they lived in was also one of my patients. It would be like me saying "oh can I come and see you on (date and time) because your neighbour is on my case list and I am seeing them on that day" It is irrelevant what the service is, it is the fact that a health care professional has disclosed that another patient/service user is living near them which could lead to them being identified. If I was still delivering staff training this would make a good example for learning about confidentiality. All the HV needed to say was "I am in the area"

@lifeonmars100

Yes I agree with you.

My neighbours child is 4 months old and so I don't think the visit is for the routine checks.

She should have just said "I will be in the area would it be OK to pop in?".

If anything it would put me off seeing her now all together as I don't know if the service would be completely confidential as she advised me.

This

Get over yourself

I was pretty certain that was the case!!

Yes, but the HV did not presumably tell the neighbour that she intended to try to see the OP, so it wasn't her confidentiality that was breached? Therefore not her complaint to make?

I agree that the HV shouldn't have said it; however as breaches go it doesn't seem to be that significant in terms of consequences.

I don't know what complaining would achieve though?

Oh if only there was a convenient service which would come to your house to see you and your child so you didn't have to attend a clinic which only runs for a couple of hours a week and happens to be when you are at work....

Oh hang on...... there is. It's called a health visitor.

@FriendofDorothy

As I keep mentioning it's an Optional Service which I have declined and don't need but still keep getting pestered.

@shannue is being informed of what clinics/groups are available in the area really being "pestered" ?
Just block the numbers/email addresses if it is annoying you that much.

@shannue you also said you would take your baby to the GP if you had any concerns.
The thing is getting GP appointments is generally quite difficult so for worries about gaining/losing weight, strange looking poo, nappy rash, sleep issues, teething problems and so on is what the HV led clinics ARE FOR!
Not the GP.

I wonder if they just keep asking in case anyone changes their mind. Say a person declines their involvement so they remove them from the list altogether but then that person begins to feel they would actually like support etc but then doesn't feel confident to start the conversation or can't remember how to contact the HV. HVs keeping communication lines open to prevent this even though it can make people feel annoyed. Sort of better annoyed that we keep asking when they don't need support rather than needing support but feeling isolated. I suppose they are trying to find a way that suits everyone ❤️

@Needmorelego
I must be missing something then as the HV advised me that in light of any medical concerns I would have to take DC to the GP.

The first HV never picked up on DC's silent acid reflux or severe allergy so yes I will take my DC to the GP every time as the HV are not doctors and from my experience they are a waste of time.

@Needmorelego - funnily enough every time I have called the GP for DC I have been able to get a same day appointment.

@PennyApril54

I'm not really sure to be honest, she even confirmed the service was optional and she does say "it's up to you".

I have her email, her mobile number and I have told her every time that I will contact her if I need any support.

The HV has breached IG guidelines. She should not tell anyone of your appointments or your neighbours. That is definitely complaint worthy.

Maybe just reply to each message then when she invites you to something or to arrange an appointment etc with something very brief 'no thank you' sort of message. She might eventually stop.