Can you refuse health visitor coming to home

[IsItSummerYet2018]

I have major issues with strangers coming in my home. I don't know why I just do.
I know they are there for advice ( even if at times quite patronising)
I have a pre birth meeting then obvs she will. Come when baby born
Can I request that I go to them at the community centre rather than here.
If not I'll suck it up somehow lol

Well you could but they may think you’re hiding something. They’re there for yours and babies welfare, not just for dishing out advice.

I think you can do with HV’s however it will be midwives who visit you at home first. Usually the day after you first bring the baby home. In all honesty, I think you will not feel very inclined to drag yourself out of the house at that point postpartum. I certainly didn’t and I recovered pretty quickly! Share a similar dislike of strangers in my home too.

Of course you can refuse any service offered to you. It's not compulsory. I understand not wanting strangers in your home. Would you prefer to meet somewhere else.

Of course you can. It's a service offered, not a legal summons. Just keep in mind that, depending on the type of birth you have, you may feel like changing your mind and having a home visit because it's easier than hauling you and a newborn out to the GP surgery or children's centre.

I'm a HV (also a mum of 2!)
You can absolutely ask to see your HV elsewhere although it would be unusual; I should imagine your HV would be checking in with the midwives to ascertain if they had any worries about you-medical or social, and would make a note on your records that you didn't want to be seen at home
The reason for recording your choice is that the HV has to complete assessments and one of these is an assessment of the home. However, you are under no obligation to have the HV service at all; we can be really useful though!

People often mention how HCPs can be patronising but the problem is we don't know what you know! So it's better to give advice that you may have heard a trillion times before and therefore ensure everyone gets the info, rather than risk assuming someone knows and in fact they could have really done with some advice

As a PP mentioned the midwives will be seeing you at home and you can always change your mind nearer the time regarding your HV
All the best with your pregnancy!

HVindiguise What sort of things or assessments do you make of the home?

Of course you can refuse

Yes, definitely. It's a voluntary service anyway and you don't have to see them at all. You may find you are exhausted and don't want to go out, but I'm sure they would be perfectly happy to meet you for their regular office hours. Most have normal appts at a surgery or children's centre so you can probably just book in there. They mostly do it at your house in the early weeks as it's pre-jabs so it avoids exposing you and baby to any nasties, but it's ultimately your choice.

Thank you for your time.
I'll have to suck it up as wouldn't want them thinking I'm hiding anything. I just have issues with strangers in my home. Or even family who we rarely see.. I prefer to go to them. Then when I'm uncomfortable I can just leave.. If that makes sense

Im sure lots has changed on their recommendations since I had my DS 12 yrs ago. However I've recently helped bring up my nephew due to his mummy being poorly so he stayed with me for a few months practically 24/7

I enjoy seeing baby's progress I. E weight gain etc.

It's definitely a hv coming before birth.. Midwife I see at the surgery..

OP of course you can decline. I did, just today. I don't care about people in my house but I am at the end of a high risk pregnancy and HCPs make me feel anxious. I decided I didn't need yet another appt.

I rang up, said I was running around busy, already had a child and didn't really feel I needed another appt as I already knew what HV did.

The lady laughed and said fine. She sounded quite relieved to have freed up a slot in her calendar. Just ring if you don't want to see them.