Health visitor advice please!

[windswept]

Hi Ladies

I am just about to write a letter of complaint to my local health board about my health visitor, but wanted to get my facts right before I do.

The situation:

We had Archie in June - after which we had a small amount of midwife contact for day 3, 5 and 7 after we left hospital. Then we were referred to health visitor, who has only been 3 times. Her last visit was on 5 August, when I had phoned to request she came. I had asked her to make more regular visits as my little man had been diagnosed with Fallot's tetralogy, which needless to say, scared the sh!t out of us. We wanted to ensure he was developing as he should be and asked for her support.

That was 8 weeks ago and no word from her since. As far as she's concerned, Archie has not been weighed or checked over. I did have a paediatrician appointment last week - which they tried to cancel (I put my foot down)! So we did have him checked. Everyone agreed we should have more contact, but they weren't surprised as our particular health visitor is known for not doing what she's meant to do - support new mums. Our friendly midwife told us we should be complaining, but I wasn't keen to do so - but another week has passed despite a letter from paediatrics to my GP requesting more contact.

How often have you had contact?

Do you think I am right to complain?

We live in the middle of nowhere and there are no mum and baby groups for me to attend... I know other places have groups with health visitors and scales... Even that would be a support to me.

I just feel quite alone with my worries that my baby is not doing as well as he should and is therefore putting more pressure on his wee heart, which needs operated on in springtime.

Rant over! Any advice much appreciated. Cx

 

[xcharx]

Aww babe you should deffinately complain!! If she's not doing her job property then she needs telling before something bad happens (I don't mean to you or LO)
I've met my HV & gone to clinic 3 times... the HV who came to my house p*ssed me off so I'm happy I haven't seen her since lol..
Could you possibly change your named HV?? X

 

[MrsPOP]

We've had contact twice and the next visit isn't until 8 months! I'm not happy with my HV either. My LO has a heart defect too (VSD) but HV doesn't care about monitoring her weight, hasn't given me details of any clinics or if I should go, hadn't given me a birth to 5 book or any info about mum and baby groups. I'm also high risk for PND (and think I actually have it) and she's not bothered about that either.

Complain definately, you need more support xxx

 

[Kelly81]

Were you given a direct contact number for her or her team? If you have no local clinic then I don't know how else you would be supposed to get any help if you had any worries.

Our HV only came out once, gave me leaflets on vaccinations and contraception and told me she wouldn't be coming again and to go to the clinic every four weeks or so to get LO weighed.

I think it's definately worth writing a letter if you've asked for more contact and not received it. You would think that especially with your LO having a heart condition they would be supporting you more. Hope you get the answers you want and your son's surgery goes well x

 

[caz_hills]

Our HV said that usually they come out once when the baby is around 4-6 weeks and then they ask you to go to the clinic which the HV's run weekly in a church hall. The clinic is for drop in - questions, weight baby, meet other Mum's etc. But the HV has come over to my house twice more as I was really low after the birth - I'm lucky as my HV is lovely - very sweet, gives me hugs and has a good chat but I think that it a one off as most of my friends had one visit and then were referred to clinic.

If you're not happy though, you could always complain as it may help them understand what support you need - not personally against this woman but to get what support you require.

Big hugs hun xx

 

[Caroline:-)]

My HV is fab - she came out to the house at 10 days, then at 2 weeks. She asked me then whether I wanted her to come again or whether I was happy taking baby to clinic at a local church hall. So at 4 weeks and 6 weeks I've done that - she and another HV are there to weigh baby and to chat/answer any quiestions, etc. She has also said to call her whenever and that she'll come to the house whenever I want... You should definately complain hun - especially if the midwife says to - she would know whether her behaviour/attitude is acceptable! Don't put up with it - you should be getting the support you want/need from your HV. Good luck