I hate my health visitor - rant

eyelinerprincess

Well the moo didn't visit before LO's visit to the nursery on Wed, nor did she call on Thurs, and we've been out all day today. One of OH's friends in the village feels the same way about her, so it's not just me. Just glad I don't have to see her again.

meritaten

eyelinerprincess wrote: »

Well the moo didn't visit before LO's visit to the nursery on Wed, nor did she call on Thurs, and we've been out all day today. One of OH's friends in the village feels the same way about her, so it's not just me. Just glad I don't have to see her again.

You DON'T have to see her hun - never forget it is YOUR baby! not hers!
when I was a new parent many moons ago - Health visitors were a new thing, and even then some of us mums felt that the HVs were usually stuck up cows who looked down on us and handed out advice as if they were godalmighty and we were the lowest of the low! Doesnt seem to have got better! I have taken three sets of grandchildren to clinic now - and they are still stuck up cows who think they know more than people who have actually HAD children.
There MUST be some who are doing a good job - havent met one yet though! and tbh - who goes into nursing and then specialises in doing 'sod all' except hand out advice (cos I am bu99ered if I know what they actually 'do') unless they have a 'goddess' complex.
and if anyone would like to explain what a HV 'Does' I would be happy to hear it!

fsdss

i am not a HV but i share an office with 4 of them. here is the role of the HV

http://www.healthvisitors.com/hv/25/508

and whilst some of you may not see the point of HV i can assure you that their phone never stops ringing! the 4 that work from my shared office cover a caseload of 2000 families. i can briefly tell you that as a result of development check ups (from what ever age) they pick up health concerns and refer accordingly (such as hearing, speech etc) they can refer to paediatric clinics and OFTEN advise the Gp's (at the request of the GP).
anxious parents, breast feeding / bottle feeding support, behaviour, sleep / eating/ weaning are the constant regular messages left on the phone.

i've had 2 health visitors, one was great, the other one was sort of ok, but when my eldest was a baby i rang my (great) health visitor worrying about something (cos we all need something to worry about with our children) and she reassured me instantly.

jetplane

meritaten wrote: »

There MUST be some who are doing a good job - havent met one yet though! and tbh - who goes into nursing and then specialises in doing 'sod all' except hand out advice (cos I am bu99ered if I know what they actually 'do') unless they have a 'goddess' complex.
and if anyone would like to explain what a HV 'Does' I would be happy to hear it!

After commenting on this thread I asked at work "What do they do?" and everyone sort of shrugged and said dunno, give advice, refer people.

fddss has posted a link to their job description which seems to confirm who they are, where they work and who with but the description of what they do is give advice and refer people and that in her office they pick up health concerns and refer accordingly (such as hearing, speech etc) they can refer to paediatric clinics and OFTEN advise the Gp's (at the request of the GP).

(no offence fddss and the italics are all mine)

I don't want to rant against Health Visitors and I can see that they may be a good link with all of the other agencies, a sort of one point contact, which could be a brilliant idea unless you get a dragon :rotfl:

Another concern I have is that it is frequently middle class professionals making judgement on working class families.

WhiteHorse

How on earth did the human race manage before this army of self important twerps was created?

eyelinerprincess

meritaten wrote: »

You DON'T have to see her hun - never forget it is YOUR baby! not hers!

I know, that's what I meant. She didn't come when she said she would so I'm not seeing her again. cba with her condescending attitude. And DS doesn't seem to like her very much either. He doesn't have colic, he just screams when she's around. I'm not depressed, I'm just not the tidiest person in the world. I do make an effort when she's due to come round but obv it's not good enough.

Tygermoth

You are also describing your GP.

A GP is a jack of all trades master of none. They willl see a wide section of patients a day, root through the medical history/symptoms and if they think you need specalist help be ref to the hospital. If no give you drugs and advice.

Its all part of the medical process and because you are all fantasic mothers i am sure you have no need for the HV.

But as FDDSS has said they are a capture net for those not doing as well but need a guiding hand and possibly information.

I personaly have had two fantasic health professionals and one shocker.

Every profession has its stars and its ones that dont shine so bright.

But just because you have had a bad experience does not mean the service as a whole has no benefit.

jetplane wrote: »

After commenting on this thread I asked at work "What do they do?" and everyone sort of shrugged and said dunno, give advice, refer people.

fddss has posted a link to their job description which seems to confirm who they are, where they work and who with but the description of what they do is give advice and refer people and that in her office they pick up health concerns and refer accordingly (such as hearing, speech etc) they can refer to paediatric clinics and OFTEN advise the Gp's (at the request of the GP).

(no offence fddss and the italics are all mine)

I don't want to rant against Health Visitors and I can see that they may be a good link with all of the other agencies, a sort of one point contact, which could be a brilliant idea unless you get a dragon :rotfl:

Another concern I have is that it is frequently middle class professionals making judgement on working class families.

jennyc85

blimey... I am currently half way through completing my health visitor application form & I have to say after reading this thread I've been a bit put off!! I never realised how widely hated HV's are & how people view them as a waste of time... I may seriously reconsider my career path...

Tupperware_Queen

Just for balance, can I say that when I had post natal depression after the birth of my much longed for second baby, my health visitor was fabulous, very supportive and helpful - I hadn't really got on with her when my first son was little, but my opinion changed completely. She helped me realise I was not a 'bad mum' but that I was suffering from an illness, from which I could, and did, recover.

koalamummy

jennyc85 wrote: »

blimey... I am currently half way through completing my health visitor application form & I have to say after reading this thread I've been a bit put off!! I never realised how widely hated HV's are & how people view them as a waste of time... I may seriously reconsider my career path...

If it helps any my daughter's is lovely and I hold her in very high regard. She was the only person who took my concerns regarding my daughters feeding problems seriously. Within a few days of alerting her to our situation a letter of referral for my daughter had been sent to our local children's hospital by our GP. The very same one who refused to accept that my overly large and heavy baby had any problems. Turns out she had severe reflux coupled with dairy intolerance. She progressed to food refusal at weaning stage, and again our health visitor was fabulous.