Health Visitors telling concerned parents to call 111

[InASense]

WTF is going on.

WHERE is the communication?

If I explain my job role and the situation it will likely be quite outing, but this happened yesterday. This was the advice given from HV to nursery setting, who them passed this on to all 60+ parents. This is AFTER it's been on the news that people should only contact 111 if symptoms are serious and you think urgent medical assistance is required.

If it was me, I'd have health visitors cancelling all routine work, and I'd have them answering the calls of concerned parents from home. Take some of the burden away from the 111 service.

This is just insane. The evidence says children shouldn't be too badly effected.

Where is the communication? Where is the coordination of our healthcare professionals?

Why aren't we pulling people from non-emergency / low-risk work and putting them on the front line?

I completely agree with you.

What on earth are you going on about? Your post is badly worded so it's a struggle to follow.

Sadly the large majority of HV ‘routine work’ is working with families where children are on child protection plans. Not something that can be cancelled without potentially serious consequences.

The majority of health visitors day to day work is child protection. Do you want them to stop that?
The other main part is working with very new babies and child who have complex health problems. Stop that?

I think they are doing the right thing.

Concerned versus high risk. They would have done an informed assessment based on their professional expertise.

There was a typo I can't edit so maybe that's why 😂

Basically....

Childcare settings are being told by Health Visitors to communicate to parents that they should call 111 in the first instance.

So, little Timmy has a runny nose? Call 111.

This goes completely against what is being reported on the news that 111 should only be used if you think you require urgent medical attention.

Hence my "rant". Where is the communication from what the gov is reporting on the news, to the health professionals? And why aren't non-urgent staff (such as Health Visitors) passing the buck to urgent staff (such as 111 call responders).

This advice was given to 60+ parents in our childcare setting only yesterday. That if you suspect Coronavirus symptoms in your child, then you must call 111. This goes against the advice from the government.

And I'm angry about it because the lines will be flooded and people will not the help they need.

If our own healthcare professionals can't get it right, what hope do the general public have?

OP's post isn't badly worded at all.

The government broadcast told us not to call 111 in the first instance but to look online. If individuals or parents become worried about progression of symptoms then yes they should call 111 as appropriate after that. The health visitor in OP is asking parents to call 111 in the first instance, contrary to what the prime minister told us.

Cross posted with you OP

Child protection work etc is urgent.

60+ parents are free to call 111.
They will not get through.
111 are so overwhelmed that it is taking 4+ days to return calls.

Plan B, call GP surgeries. They are physically locking their doors and taking telephone consultations only.

Nhs choices website is a fantastic resource for minor ailments, home care and clear advice about when to seek help.
It is nice guidance, evidence based advice.

This is where people should be directed.

Communication seems pretty clear to me:

www.hrch.nhs.uk/#

www.hrch.nhs.uk/news/press-releases/coronavirus-public-information/