NHS neglect during COVID crisis

[Samc3]

Hi all!

Don’t want to sound insensitive to the struggle GP’s across the U.K. must be going through, but we are quite disappointed with the level of care we’ve been offered so far.

My partner got pregnant shortly before coronavirus was a thing and our baby just turned 8 weeks. We just had our 8 weeks jab appointment last week and no other checks were done, even though the NHS website clearly says a more comprehensive check should be offered: hips should be checked, weight, head circumference and so on.

We had to ask for the nurse to check our baby’s weight, which she did but didn’t take any note on the red book. We’ve asked for a doctor to check at least our baby’s hips and one came by and checked for a minute said “she’s fine” and left.

At least for hip dysplasia I think it should be taken more seriously maybe done a x ray?

Anyone experiencing something similar?

No one x-rays babies for no reason.

You wanted your new born x rayed for no clinical reason

The hip check is literally a 30 second check done by a doctor, it's not an X-ray or ultrasound. Those are only used if there is anything to indicate problems with the hips.

Hip check at this age is are the creases equal- it takes no time at all. There is no clinical reason to X-ray a baby for this unless further investigations are being done.

First of all, routine x-rays are not done to check for hip dysplasia in my experience as a mother of three, it's literally just a quick visual check. If something isn't right it'll be very obvious from that visual check so if you've been told it's fine, believe that it is.

If your baby is feeding well, gaining weight, has lots of wet nappies and is clearly thriving there really isn't much to worry about. Even if baby isn't weighed, they grow out of clothes and nappies very fast at that stage and you can tell if they are gaining weight.

Head circumference you can check yourself and keep a record of. You can also write things down in the red book yourself, I did with my three babies.

GPs really are under serious pressure at the moment. I understand why you are feeling stressed, of course you want things that in normal times would be routine checked out and everything recorded in the red book.

However, I'm certain that you would still get the necessary care if something was wrong with your baby. It sounds like your little one is doing well and thriving - if not, it would have been spotted.

These are unprecented times, try not to worry and enjoy your baby.

They bend the legs up, apply a little pressure and splay them out. Google is your friend. They feel for a click or skip.
No x-ray.
No one wants to be in a tiny unventilated room with anyone else.

Was your baby breech? X rays are done on breech babies as routine here in my trust.

Hi all thanks for all the replies. We are first time parents and I based my rant on the following, taken from NHS’s website:

“ Your baby will be invited for a thorough physical examination. This is usually done by a GP.

Your baby's eyes, heart, hips and – for boys – testicles will be checked. They'll also have their weight, length and head circumference measured.”

Nothing was offered other than the 8 weeks jabs. And hips would not have been checked if we had not asked.

• “ Your baby will be invited for a thorough physical examination. This is usually done by a GP.

Your baby's eyes, heart, hips and – for boys – testicles will be checked. They'll also have their weight, length and head circumference measured.”*

I think you're getting a bit of a harsh response here. A newborn is normally checked for the things you've listed at 6 weeks. Our GP decided to push the checks back to 8 weeks to minimise the number of visits to the surgery, but I was given a 10 min GP appointment for me (standard 6-week check for mum, asked about mental health, checked incision healing), then a 10 min GP baby appointment (did the checks in the list above), and then moved to nurses room to do vaccinations. They didn't weigh my baby, though they've also never weighed my non-lockdown babies at the GP surgery unless there was a problem.

It is strange having a baby during lockdown. I have three older kids and found it strange. It must feel very lonely and confusing for first time parents.

If you want your baby checked, ring your GP surgery and ask for a routine 6-week check because you're worried the right newborn checks haven't been done. If they won't do it, ring another local surgery and explain; they might transfer you and do the checks for you. I agree with you that I'd want the eyes/heart/testicles etc checks as well as hips (though no scan/x ray is normal unless they suspect a problem from the examination).

What you are talking about is the 6 week check and no matter what the struggle they can't not do what they're supposed to do. Phone the surgery and make an appointment don't let them fob you off but unless there are concerns for the hips there is no need for an X-ray.

Not quite sure why you have got some harsh responses on here. People can be so patronising rather than educate.

Usually with weight you do it yourself. Before coronavirus you could go to clinics and get baby weighed but if you want to do it yourself stand on the scales take your weight then go back on and hold the baby and the extra weight will be your babies weight. It's not 100% accurate with little babies I find so If you do have some spare cash invest in some baby scales. Alternatively phone your HV and see if there is anywhere you can way your baby.

Just for a little reassurance your baby was checked by the 'baby doctor' before you left hospital and they also do certain tests.

But do make an appointment and don't let them fob you off. Be stern.

Congratulations on your new little bundle of joy.

Weigh not way*

I’ve had 5 babies and never had an x ray for bio check.

Hip

As PP's say, xrays not done for hip.

If I remember correctly, its an ultrasound that is done if a referral required.

BUT it is a very important check and it all needs to be done.

The check does not sound at the same level as what my DC got.

An xray/scan is only necessary where a problem is suspected, however I think you've had some harsh responses on here. Your quote relates to the 6-8 week check which should still be going ahead (where I am they are not weighing or measuring them at the moment, that bit of the check is just not happening). I suggest ringing your GP and asking to book this check up. It's possible they'll ring you and try and book it but it might be delayed. I wouldn't worry too much if it is, but it's worth calling. If it helps, I have a 6mo who hasn't been weighed since we were discharged from midwife care. If you are concerned about weight / general health please ring your HV.

an x-ray or ultrasound is done of the hip if the 'click test' described above shows issues.

(there are discussion that the click test is not adequate and all babies should get an ultrasound check, but that's been ongoing for years - way before the corona issues)

luckily, most babies are fine without interventions at all.
if you feel something is not right with your lovely baby don't hesitate to speak to yhe gp or hv.

Was the baby born by c section? If not then checking hips isn't routine

I think you're expectations are waaaaay off. Even before covid at the GP/HV appointments head circumference was never checked that I recall. 8 week injections are just that. Injections

The only thing which isn't getting done much at the moment is the health visitor weigh ins but plenty of info online about how to do it yourself 🤷‍♀️

X-rays damage the human body! They're done as a last resort to resolve problems, not as routine checkups.

Similar situation here too op. I was told by my GP that the 8 week check wasn't something they are offering at the moment. I saw my health visitor and she said this was wrong and I needed to push for my DD to be seen. When they did eventually see her, the checks were very quick, it took around 15/20 minutes in total so the hip check you described does seem right. They wouldn't offer an x-ray even in normal times unless there was a problem. I completely understand though, it's scary and as first time parents we have no idea what is normal, what we should be concerned about and so on. 💐

@Samc3

Hi all thanks for all the replies. We are first time parents and I based my rant on the following, taken from NHS’s website:

“ Your baby will be invited for a thorough physical examination. This is usually done by a GP.

Your baby's eyes, heart, hips and – for boys – testicles will be checked. They'll also have their weight, length and head circumference measured.”

Nothing was offered other than the 8 weeks jabs. And hips would not have been checked if we had not asked.

I dont know about an xray but my baby had this check by the GP at 8 weeks when she went in for her jabs. This was back in October. So you're nor wrong, there should have been an 8 week check of the baby and your partner should have had a post natal check as well (mine was done at the same time as the baby). Like others have said though if baby is putting on weight, plenty of wees and poos and no obvious signs of illness then I'm sure everything is fine.

All of what you require is booked in at a six week baby check , apart from the X-ray, that is not required. The six week baby check is with your G.P and is a twenty to thirty minute appointment.
The appointment you had was with the Nurse and was a 15 minute vaccination appointment, she could not do the vaccines nor all the above you required in this appointment she was not qualified to do so nor was there time. The G.P during your vaccine appointment would of been allocated a clinic of booked appointments themselves so would be unable to drop this to do the baby check at that time. (I am surprised they left their current patients to do the hip check there and then for you TBH.)
You need your book an allocated appointment with the G.P for your six week check.

Oh and with weight my health visitor said if I was ever worried they are happy to come round and weigh her so might be worth requesting.

NHS neglect during COVID crisis

Sorry, but what you are experiencing is hardly neglect.

@kazzer2867

NHS neglect during COVID crisis

Sorry, but what you are experiencing is hardly neglect.

I agree. That language really got my back up.

My DS had his hips checked in hospital and was referred then for an ultrasound as there was a mild concern. Was all this checked in hospital? Mine were examined again by the GP at 8 weeks but fairly quickly and in discussion with me.