RE: children's centres or GP practices

[Guest guest]

While I don't disagree that communication is better if HVs are in GP surgeries, it does ask why this is. We removed most of our HVs from GP surgeries 4 years ago, but set up a GP link system, with a named link HV for all GPs in the borough, an easy to use referral form and telephone number. How many GPs could be bothered to use this system? Not many, not even picking up the phone unless it is Friday afternoon and they think the HV will deal with the issue in front of them rather than have to fill in a CAF to refer to SS. So it would point to most GPs (I know its not all)need the HV in their surgery to make life easier for them!

Kathy

From: sarahcowley183@...Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2010 09:47:28 +0100Subject: children's centres or GP practices

Nursery World reports that 'row' that broke out over the weekend, and the survey carried out jointly by Netmums, CPHVA and 4Children:

http://www.nurseryworld.co.uk/news/1012947/Proposal-locate-health-visitors-childrens-centres-sparks-row/

"A debate on whether health visitors should be based in children's centres or at doctors' surgeries has broken out, after GPs claimed that there is a communication breakdown with those based at childcare settings.

The Government has promised to fund more than 4,000 extra health visitors in England, who would be concentrated in children's centres. However, the Royal College of General Practitioners told the BBC that its members are seeing a worrying pattern developing, where vital information is not being passed back to them.

Professor Steve Fields of the RCGP said, 'Mums-to-be are not getting the service they could have had five or ten years ago. It is an unintended consequence of children's centres being established and health visitors moving out of GPs' surgeries and GPs not being as actively involved in their care during their pregnancy.'

But children's charities said that having health visitors in children's centres means there is less need for mothers to use GPs' surgeries for non-urgent problems and advice.

A survey of 1,687 mothers by 4Children, Netmums and the Community Practitioners and Health Visitors Association found that more than half had experienced a health issue in the past year, but 40 per cent felt there were no professionals they could turn to for help with problems, including postnatal depression, difficulty bonding with a child and domestic violence.

Anne Longfield, chief executive of 4Children, said, 'All parents tell us that they want support as early as possible that is easy to access and near to home. Getting help early can make the difference in resolving a problem with a child's sleeping or eating, for example, which if left unresolved can lead to a crisis in confidence and even longer-term depression.

'In the run up to the spending review, 4Children is urging Government to think creatively and to maximise the potential of children's centres to create more hubs in the community to support families' health.' "

In the present climate, the question of 'where' to site health visitors seems less important than 'how many' there are, but I will be interested in hearing an update of people's views about this.

kind regards

Cowley

sarahcowley183btinternet

http://myprofile.cos.com/S124021COn

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[Guest guest]

Hi

My experience is that when there are sufficient HVs in post a linked system works as you suggest Kathy.

I am also very aware that many GPs are not up to date with the new initiatives around children and young people and are unaware of children's centres etc. That is quite frightening if they are to commission services in the future..

Margaret

children's centres or GP practices

Nursery World reports that 'row' that broke out over the weekend, and the survey carried out jointly by Netmums, CPHVA and 4Children: http://www.nurseryworld.co.uk/news/1012947/Proposal-locate-health-visitors-childrens-centres-sparks-row/

"A debate on whether health visitors should be based in children's centres or at doctors' surgeries has broken out, after GPs claimed that there is a communication breakdown with those based at childcare settings.

The Government has promised to fund more than 4,000 extra health visitors in England, who would be concentrated in children's centres. However, the Royal College of General Practitioners told the BBC that its members are seeing a worrying pattern developing, where vital information is not being passed back to them.Professor Steve Fields of the RCGP said, 'Mums-to-be are not getting the service they could have had five or ten years ago. It is an unintended consequence of children's centres being established and health visitors moving out of GPs' surgeries and GPs not being as actively involved in their care during their pregnancy.'But children's charities said that having health visitors in children's centres means there is less need for mothers to use GPs' surgeries for non-urgent problems and advice.A survey of 1,687 mothers by 4Children, Netmums and the Community Practitioners and Health Visitors Association found that more than half had experienced a health issue in the past year, but 40 per cent felt there were no professionals they could turn to for help with problems, including postnatal depression, difficulty bonding with a child and domestic violence.Anne Longfield, chief executive of 4Children, said, 'All parents tell us that they want support as early as possible that is easy to access and near to home. Getting help early can make the difference in resolving a problem with a child's sleeping or eating, for example, which if left unresolved can lead to a crisis in confidence and even longer-term depression.

'In the run up to the spending review, 4Children is urging Government to think creatively and to maximise the potential of children's centres to create more hubs in the community to support families' health.' "

In the present climate, the question of 'where' to site health visitors seems less important than 'how many' there are, but I will be interested in hearing an update of people's views about this.

kind regards

Cowley

sarahcowley183btinternet

http://myprofile.cos.com/S124021COn

Get a free e-mail account with Hotmail. Sign-up now.