do i have to see the health visitor??

[salander]

couldn't think where to post this so forgive me if in wrong place. my DS is 8 weeks old and fab. he missed 6 week check at GPs as weather was so awful couldn't get there. he will be recalled in jan for this apparently. but the HV keeps phoning and writing to arrange to come and see us - is there any point? i have no concerns, he is clearly gaining weight, smiling and doing all the right things. we saw her last at about 3 weeks and found her a bit useless really. do i HAVE to see her? thanks for any advice.

I don't think you gave to but remember hv have child protection role. They are getting sharper at this following baby p as it was stated hv could gave noticed more. Not suggesting you are abusing nut they have to check. If they see you regularly at baby clinic etc they are less likely to worry.

No you don't have to see a HV, it is NOT required. I saw a HV for my DD one time when she was born and politely declined any further service. She was fine with this.

As I am an expat I think it is strange waste of money and resources.

She still will be registered with a GP. If there are any major issue or problems then she can go to a GP. You are always 'in the system' when you are registered with a GP, kids go to school, etc.

She did not mention anything about feeling, down or bad or anything negative at all. Why would you even mention PND???

No other 1st world country wastes spends money on such a useless service and mothers get along just fine. The NHS is in a crisis, why take up precious NHS money when you don't need to? What a lark! I have never used it along with many of my expat friends. If we need anything we go to a GP, speak to friends or family, etc. IMO a completely useless waste of tax dollars. Just because something is 'available' you think it should be used? That sounds like the all to familiar 'entitled to' culture that so many people expect.

Anyways, wasted resources are another topic altogether. The OP asked if HV's were required, they are not. She is a grown up and can make her own decision that best suits her and her family.

I suppose you don't have to see them, but believe me if you want her to stop phoning, invite her for a coffee, take baby to be weighed every now and again and you won't hear from them.

They can be really useful though....My dd had the most shocking colic, Dr was useless, but HV came up with so many ideas and everytime I went to clinic, she would ask me about it. DD also didnt take to weaning, again HV was brill with ideas for me.

Your baby is 8 weeks old. Everything is fine now...it may not always be this way, so don't burn your bridges just yet would be my advice.

You don't have to see the HV, no. But if you ticked the box for child surveillance (I think it says something like that) when you registered your LO at the GP's you'll be on the HV's books. If you don't want to see the HV then simply tell them that. No point in wasting their resources by still being on their books

no, you don't have to see her if you don't want to.

neither ds2 or ds3 saw a health visitor after their 6 week checks.
ours called and asked to visit and I politely declined

they are still there if you do find you want to speak to one, not seeing them now doesn't mean you never can. I saw one when ds2 was about 2.5yrs to get a referral for speech therapy and hearing tests and that was fine

there is no burning of bridges or anything as other posters have suggested btw.

just because you don't want to see an HV now doesn't mean you never can. what a bizarre supposition.

and if you do happen to develop PND then hopefully your partner/friends/family would pick up on this as happens with most people who develop it!

I dont think you do have to see here. Although I would welcome HV having more clout in terms of child protection. Too many children go off the radar between birth and school.

I built up a good relationship with the team of health visitors in my area. The clinics were a good source of information and reassurance. The health visitors assistant ran some excellent parent and child groups.

I was able to ring her a few months ago and she made a referal for a hearing test. Much easier and quicker than the GP.

She rang after a recent A&E visit to check DS okay and if we needed any help.

Although some HV can be bossy and controlling I do think they are becoming the exception and not the norm now.

thanks very much for the replies. interesting. i definitely don't have PND, and quite well and happy and loving being a mum. also no plans to burn bridges, just felt that if there was a problem i would certainly contact them or the gp, just wasn't sure of the benefit of her routinely seeing us if i have no issues. sure there are people around who need her more. anyway, i rang today and she is on annual leave til next tuesday so is all fairly academic now! thanks again for the replies.