Anyone else have issues with health visitors? WHINGE ALERT!!!

[Joash]

I need to let off steam by saying that I am developing major problems with HV's in general. I am convinced that if GS's HV's had acknowledged his dramatic weight loss over a month, his lack of growth, his parents refusal to let any medical staff or even the HV's see him - or spoken to me instead of constantly refusing when I made numerous attempts to speak to them about my concerns - then he would not have ended up in hospital at five months old covered in bruises, with a chest fracture from the beating his father had given him.
We moved 350 miles away (when GS was two) - and asked for a HV, and were told he didnt need one and wouldnt get one as he was not a baby.

Recently asked the GP for a hearing test for GS, only to be passed to the local HV to arrange a date. She called me and said she would be back in touch within two days with a date and time - that was three weeks ago - she does not return my calls, in the meantime I have a child who is struggling to hear and we can't get anyone to see him as it has to be done through the HV's.

It's alright David Bloody Cameron prattling on about the number of hours a HV should spend with 'clients' - but what about training them to do their job right in the first place?

That would just be me then?

My cousin's health visitor was going to her house to weigh her baby. Every week she'd comment that the baby was jaundiced, she put it down to her breast feeding. Every week for 8 weeks. 2 days after her last visit my cousin found the baby had died. He had died of liver failure. Standard practice is to refer jaundiced babies to the hospital for tests after 2 weeks. The poor thing had spent his life screaming in pain. She's been suspended.

I have worked with hv's. There job's rotten. All they do is run around after social services and attending child protection meetings. It means that they do not have the time for the families that need them the most. It's not their fault, it's the system. You should phone her up and ask her if she's made an appointment for you. Keep chasing it. Good luck.

No i don't think you are alone. They don't seem to know a lot about breast feeding.

I have never had a problem with my HV and they were very good in coming out to see me when DS1 was a toddler and was having some behaviourial problems.
Where in the counrty are you?

avanap - so sorry about your cousins' baby . what a terrible story

We're in Cornwall.

Logic tells me that it's not all of them - just the ones associated with GS - aaarrgghhh!!!

However, I get totally peed off with the 'system' being blamed. It's not the systems fault that some people don't even have the common courtesy to call, or respond to messages, or even send a quick letter explaining the situation.

Although not a HV, I have always made sure that I let my bloody clients know what's happening one way or another - even if it's just a quick response to say "sorru, but nothing is happening at the moment, I will be in touch"

aveanap- what a sad,sad story

Bloody hell, Joash and Ave, both your stories are so bloody awful.

I interviewed some HVs who were shortlisted for an award because they'd set up a monthly lunchtime meeting where their team could discuss research and catch up with the professional journals. This was revolutionary. No wonder there seem to be so many who spout such utter nonsense.

avanap - I'm so sorry to hear about your cousins' baby.

the hv i saw recently made me vow i would never see one again. we had just moved into the area so she came for a home visit. before she even said hello she told me that my dds teath stuck out, during the visit moaned at me for not giving the mmr jab and said i was just being stupid, told me i might think dds talking was ok bit she couldnt understand a word and said dd was spoilt an attention seeking. The revolting woman also took her shoes off and walked around my house with bare feet that were filthy.
i was in tears when she left.
3 hours later the same idiot hv phoned me to make an apointment to see us because we had just moved to the area? i told her she had already been, she told me i was mistaken, after being polite at first i reminded her of a few of the things she had said and told her her feet needed a wash - wont be seeing her or any other hv again

It sounds like you've had a bad run. Phone them up in the morning and have a moan, explain that this little lad has not had the best start in life and that you are trying your hardest to support him. In order for you to be bale to do this you require a referal from them. If this is not done within x amount of time you shall be contacting the pct and putting in a complaint. This should get them moving.

GS's HV didn't even turn up at his Child Protection meeting - she sent some information, claiming it to be a list of her concerns about GS which was actually a photocopy of a letter I had sent her (she had copied it after removing my details).

Thanks avenanap, I never thought about contacting the pct. I'll do that if I can't get her tomorrow - I think she's had long enough.

Oh nancy75 I'm sory about your exprience but admit to laughing at the phone conversation

joash, i did laugh afterwards, it was the way she was insiting i had imagined the hv visit, even though i could tell her what she looked like and what she was wearing! it just shows how unorganised some of them are, some people really need their help, i dont but can have 2 visits a day - lucky me!

They all sound lovely . I have not heard from ds's hv since he had his 8 month check. He was never sent for an eye test, no further contact from them at all. Useful. Not!

i have had some lovely lovely hv's.

I dont even want a visit - just a hearing test appointment for my GS.

Joash - phone up audiology yourself, ask if you can refer directly. might work.

I have four children and have loved all my health visitors. They have all been exceptionally caring and thorough.

Sorry for other posters who were clearly not so lucky.

i am yet to meet a good one in my area. i hve friends who have recived good support from them but the ones i have dealt with have been rubbish.

personally i would go through other channels to get a hearing test maybe drs???

good luck x x x

sorry i just read you were reffered by gp to hv, i would go back to gp.

Indigo - have been trying through school since september last year, called them myself and then finally gave in and tried through GPs -unfortunately, all apts have to come through the HV. SO damn frustrating.

totalchaos - have tried calling myself - to be told all apts have to go through HV's

definatley go through PCT, they are the health providers and probably the HVs employers. If all else fails ask the PCT for the contact details of your local PALS (patient advice and liason service) who should be able to help negotiate you through NHS services. Good luck

Thanks solitaire - I will try that if I get fobbed off again.

No - my HV was fabulous and a real support to me. Like every other profession there are good ones and crap ones. You can't tar all of them with the same brush from the crap ones. The crap ones need reporting and dealing with.