Refusing health visitor?

[Kmward36]

Hi

is it possible to opt out of the health visitor service?

I live in a small village with 1 health visitor attached to our GP practice. I had her with my first 2 children and I didn’t find her helpful at all.

she refused to acknowledge my post partum depression ( in the end I was admitted). She doesn’t weigh baby. She won’t discuss breastfeeding or weaning as it’s not ‘her thing’ and I just don’t see the point!

i don’t want to trigger some sort of social issue though. We have nothing else going on from social services etc and I’m more than happy to weigh baby in drop in services.

has anyone done this?

Not myself, personally, but my SIL did.
Her and the HV just didn't click - simple as that.
She found very little help/support from her visits and just decided it wasn't for her; kept the baby's red book updated with accurate weight etc and all was fine 🙂

As far as I'm aware, you're not required to agree to their visits anyway, regardless if you have a reason for not wanting them. That could just be my area of the UK though so double check for yourself.
Goodluck! 😘

Yea of course you can. It’s not compulsory.

She's supposed to help you, and if you aren't finding her helpful then opt out. In my area the health visitors didn't come to homes, we went to clinic. I went with the first (hv was lovely btw) but didn't bother with the second as I knew what I was doing. Just make sure you keep an eye on weight and milestones etc yourself, and very importantly your own mental health.

Yes you can. You can also request a different hv. You may get a referral to ss if you refuse although.

Thanks everyone, when they get in touch I’ll have a chat

I have tried swapping to another health visitor but they only have the one!

I opted out. Was my first child as well and no SS triggering occurred.

Why spread misinformation? There are no circumstances under which declining HV visits alone would result in a SS referral, unless there were other concerns.

I would see her and then make a complaint if she says those things again. What exactly are they paying her for?! ‘Not her thing’!

I opted out with DS2. I actually had what I would consider to be a decent reason in that he was part of a research study from newborn so had regular check ups including weighing with a paediatrician but here they have a central admin booking team who wasn’t remotely interested in why I was declining and couldn’t get off the phone quick enough, so I never had to justify it!

I declined, explained that everything was fine, child was my second and if I had any issues I would seek help. All fine, no problem.

it depends, I wasn't in when the HV came (she just turned up) to visit me and she called my NOK (my mum) and told her if she couldn't get hold of me she will call SS, yes people will say must be more to it but no there wasn't it was my first baby and had never had any previous SS involvement and no concerns had previously been raised. So I would have the Initial visit then just not see them again after.

Yes, you absolutely can opt out and many people do. It isn't compulsory. I rarely saw health visitors with my three. A couple of times maybe with DD1, but they were useless. Almost never with DD2 and DD3 that I can remember.

I was quite happy to get the baby weighed every couple of weeks or so at the drop in clinic at my GP's surgery.

They are extremely unlikely to report you to social services. Even if they do, just explain that you have had other children and never found the service useful so have opted out. They are welcome to pay you a visit if they wish. I'd be very surprised if you hear anything at all though.

Hello, do you have the exact legislation reference that shows that the health visiting service is optional? We would like to opt out and know you can but I would also like to have the legislation document showing this

Don’t be ridiculous 🙄….even if a family are on a child protection plan they can refuse HV services .
just let them know OP …they won’t be bothered….one family less to visit….they inform the GP practice that you have refused ….so it can be documented on your gp record

The healthy child programme is optional…..loads of families opt out of receiving HV services ….no one cares

There will have been more to it definately 🙄

I opted out - no big issue- just contacted them and said DT’s and I didn’t require any visits or support. Nothing happened

@Kitkat1523 ok thanks so much. So if the health visitor emails me I can just respond saying I opt out of the service?

Ok I've found something. They are actually so sneaky in the wording (obviously trying to make people think they have to have them!) but in the below link it says "Regulation requires all families with babies to be offered 5 mandated health visitor reviewss_ before their child reaches 2 and a half years old."

It doesn't say you have to accept the offer

www.gov.uk/government/publications/healthy-child-programme-0-to-19-health-visitor-and-school-nurse-commissioning/commissioning-health-visitors-and-school-nurses-for-public-health-services-for-children-aged-0-to-19

Yes ….or just phone the duty number and tell them…or email them yourselves…..in my area they send you a letter to confirm….and the gp gets a copy ….the child’s record stays with the HV team and then is transferred to school health…..the HVs would much prefer someone actively opts out than having to visit and get failed access

FFS …..if you weren’t offered a service you would be moaning…..just fucking opt out 🙄

@Kitkat1523 we actually weren't offered any visits after the newborn ones for my children who are both now older than 2.5 (which I was very happy about!) but they just randomly popped up now and I have emailed to opt out but I wanted to be clear on current legislation regarding opting out though it seems the government website won't give you that exactly.

I never found health visitors very helpful. You could just not be in if they call or say it isn't convenient and you'll be in touch if the need arises. Nobody has to see a health visitor.

@LBFseBrom totally agree!

@Kmward36 I discharged myself from mine as I just didn't warm to her on the phone and thought actually I don't need you to come. I have other support x