HV visit after a trip to A&E?

[SheWillBeLoved]

DD (9 months) managed to toss herself off the end of my bed this morning whilst I quickly ran into the bathroom to get my make up bag to get ready for work back in my bedroom. I thought she'd be okay as she was up by the pillows sitting in a V shaped one, and her cot is right next to the bed on the side she was sitting, but she managed to wiggle down to the bottom (in her sleeping bag!) and fall off the side of the bed at the bottom of her cot in the time it took me to go and get the bag.

Cue huge, instant purple bruise, us both screaming, me wanting to vomit, and a trip to A&E. She was fine of course (first proper accident), but they mentioned that anybody under the age of 1 automatically gets a referral to the HV, who will come out and give the parent(s) a talk about 'safety in the home'

Is that all they will do? Will she run around inspecting that me and my home is good enough for DD? As if I don't feel fecking awful enough already, without having to take time off work to sit at home and be lectured.

I'm sure it's all normal and I can see why it's necessary, but in my delicate state I can't help but feel a bit put out by this.

Anyone had one of these visits? Will she slap my wrists?

Don't take the tone.

This is normal to get a HV call or visit after an accident like this.

They are there for the baby and to make sure that things are fine.

She will talk to you and make sure you are aware that babies can do xyz and that you will make sure they are not able to do it again.

I took DS a few times to A & E for similar and never had a visit. It may be a local policy, I wouldn't worry TBH. Probably just come and have abit of a nose - nothing major.

They probably won't come, mine didn't.

Its just procautionary.

I got a visit from the HV after taking ds with an ear infection to the OOOH - they just checked up on him that was all.

In my area whenever my DS has ended up at A&E (onlt twice I hasten to add!) I get a phone call one or two days later from the HV. They simply ask me how he is. Never had a visit. Mine weren't accidents at home though (raisen stuck up nose and a 40degree temp were the reasons) so I guess it didn't warrant a visit.
I would guess they will call and if you explain that will be it.
Think of it as a good thing - all the agencies talking to each other. Helps spot abuse, just means we all get calls.

Sorry Fab Just bloody tired after no sleep last night, and the drama of this morning. I know they're just doing their job, it just felt like a bit of a kick whilst I was down iyswim

I am sure it is a routine thing. I know you are now very clued up on the falling-off-bed-accident. So she will tell you some of the other things to watch out for.

You cannot save your DD's from every little danger, but you can minimise the risk. She is just helping you do that.

Perhaps she can come in the late afternoon / early evening, so that you don't have to take too long off work.

We took DS to A&E for a similar reason when he was about 6 months and no visit was mentioned. I would have refused it if it had though, accidents happen!

It really isn't a kick. They are just trying to support you.

They refer any A&E attendance in a young child to the HV. The health visitor then makes a judgement call on whether to file, telephone or visit.

All my visits were ignored until head injury number 4 then we had a visit.
She came chatted, like a normal HV visit and left.

DD walked very early and had no sense of safety, hence multiple HI. and unfortunately continually headbutted door frames and skirting board corners

After I dropped my son when he was 3 weeks old, the HV didn't come by, but did ring to see how he was and how I was, since of course it was traumatic for both of us.

He had a concussion and cracked ribs. I cried for 3 days.

I was also investigated by Children's Services, who immediately determined it was an accident and closed the file.

He's 10 months. We're both fine now.

It is to protect your baby. Don't be defensive they aren't looking for things that are wrong, they really do just want to help.

Mine just called never came round. Just to make sure we were both okay and if we needed any help or advice.

Disenchanted right, they probably won't have time to visit. Even if they do, it will only be some HV wanting a cuppa and to give you a leaflet!

I think HV are automatically notified if a young child visits A&E. DD2 went A&E three weekends in a row once - pulled elbow, falling on a toy and not walking and something else I can't remember now. I knew my HV well because of other health isuues and she just mentioned that she had been notified. This was 10 years ago however so things may be different but accidents happen.

DD1 got a blackeye from falling against her rocking horse once and then hurt her head so had a cut. Took her to a&e for the cut - needed glueing and they checked her over very carefully in case I had been abusing her. Was pleased they did as it meant they took abuse seriously. All of it was accidental I wasn't being a careless mother.

They are informed but very much doubt they will visit as they are always too busy. Yoiu might get a phone call, more likely nothing.
Please don't blame yourself, they all do stuff like that at some point. I know my 2 do. I imagine most people on here have done the paniced rush to casulty thinking they are the worst parent in the world.

I think it's normal - I got a phone call once after a trip to A&E for bump on the head following a trip on the patio, and was asked if I wanted a visit - I think I declined and that was the end of it! I think I probably felt a bit huffy (as in 'oh do they think I did it') but I think it is probably better that this system exists; I would rather they checked than just ignored potential problems. Don't take it personally!

I just remembered that there is actually a sign in our Children's Hospital A&E saying HV's will be notified.

I took ds2 when he was a few months old after i dropped him.
I got a call a few days later from our doctors surgery to make sure he was ok.
It did get my back up a bit at the time, because I'd just been put on anti-depressants for PND, I was a bit touchy and asked the doctor why she seemed to think my son would not be ok and how offended I was over the call.
I see now (now that I am more balanced) that it was just a precaution.

Ds1 has been to A&E numerous times as a baby/toddler and have had a phone call each time from HV to check we are both ok. Once I did get a bit of a 'safety in the home' talk from her as DS had been in hospital for having swallowed something poisonous I should ahve had out of reach but all ok and they do understand that accidents happen.
Luckily DS2 has had no accidents whatsoever so it has balanced out a bit

It's normal, but in practice the HV is unlikely to come. After DD2's 3rd trip to A&E (I dropped her at 6 wks, she climbed out of her high chair and nose dived onto the floor at 11 months and bounced off her sister's bed face first into the corner of the bedside table at 12 months), on the third visit we went through the whole strip and examine every inch of her routine at A&E and I was told the HV would visit. HV called me and left a message, I never got around to calling back and never heard anything more. Since then DD2 has had a fair few further visits to A&E (she is the most accident prone child imaginable, DD1 and DS have never once been to A&E) but no one has mentioned anything since.

I've had this loads.

To be honest it really annoyed me, it feels like an affront. And of course as I later found if you turn it down they threaten social services.

Do any of us honestly want such involvement from the state?

I have been to A&E so many times I am surprised I don't have my own parking space outside.
Various reason, 1 head injury that was glued, 1 that was steri stripped, 1 big bang on head, 1 broken food, suspected broken wrist, finger nearly severed my garden scissors (mother in law let her have them, not me) hand infection with emergency op, and croup.
This is shared between 2 children and I may have missed out a coupe of visits.
Never had a visit from a HV, havn't seen one since my youngest was 1 he is now 7.

If a child is under 5 the health visitor is informed that they attended A&E or a walk in centre and if they are over 5 the school nurse is informed. The A&E attendance notifications are reviewed and the HV/SN then decides if they need to make contact with the family to offer advice/support. This practice comes from the Lord Laming enquiry into Victoria Climbie as often children who are being physically abused or neglected will present at A&E more often than average.

A HV/SN shpuld be looking at the reasons for numerous attendance and following it up but for most children it would just be a quick phonecall or home visit to offer advice.

That was broken foot, not food, dam this keyboard.

Thanks for all the replies I know there's a reason they do the visits, I think I was just reading a bit too much into it in my guilt ridden state My HV seems lovely from what I have seen so far, so hopefully she'll be understanding and just give us a quick call. Doubt she'll visit as they're spread very thinly in this area! Although if she does visit, that's fine too. Thanks again