Health visitor or doctor?

At what age do health visitor services cease? I have a 3 year old who, apart from an illness on his first day in this country, hasn't really needed to see a doctor at all in the 7 months we've been living here.

He's just turned 3 and if we were in the States we'd be doing a 3 year well visit---but I know that Well visits aren't the norm. However, right now I have a bunch of "worried mommy" issues to discuss namely potty training problems, concerns about his speech development, etc. Who would be best to speak to about these things...health visitor or GP?

Are you on the HV's radar at all? Normally, they make contact with you.

My son was evaluated for speech in the UK shortly before we moved back but I can't for the life of me recall who made the referral! I *think* it was the HV but I'm not sure.

I was under the impression that HVs typically drop off a bit as the child gets older, but if you encourage an active relationship with one (and you like her -or him?) then they will keep you in their rotation. I would say that potty training issues would be an HV matter to start with unless you think there may be an underlying health issue.

I've not seen hide nor hair of our HV since DD was 6 months old. When we have concerns regarding her development or health we start with our Practice Nurse. They've been wonderful and have involved the GP when necessary.

I'd say Health Visitor.

We still have HV contacting us about various kids at the playgroup, some of whom are 4.  Jean just had a developmental check with a HV a few weeks ago at 2 and 9 months.

Check with your surgery or local Sure Start Centre when they have well baby/well child checks (our surgery used to have them but they are now at the Sure Start centre).  Should be a weekly drop-in for weighing and/or questions, even for older kids.

Most of our contact with HV team has been on a drop-in basis, apart from her six month check and this recent check so not surprising you've not been contacted Weby.

Keep your eye on those Sure Start Centres... aren't they one of the many things potentially being axed under the new budgets cuts?

Some of them, yes.  Which would be a real shame in the areas that really need them.  Jean loved all the groups I took her to at our local one.

How would I find out who/where my local HV would be? The local Sure Start centre or my doctor's surgery?

Honestly, we never were contacted or given any additional info about HV services when we registered with NHS. I only know about them from reading posts here 

I'd say call the GP and ask how to contact your local health visitor team.  We were given our contact info at a home visit after Jean was born.

Thanks!

I think I finally have it figured out. Rang up our surgery and was given details about a weekly children's HV clinic at another local surgery. We'll be stopping by next week.

Cool, glad you got it sorted!

Thanks!

I think I finally have it figured out. Rang up our surgery and was given details about a weekly children's HV clinic at another local surgery. We'll be stopping by next week.

I saw this post in passing a while back, but didn't have time to comment.  Just checking to see if you've managed to have your son seen by the HV.

Further to comments made (and you probably know it all by now), you usually see the HV for non-illness related issues like weight, speech, behaviour, developmental and some skin issues.  Your child should be covered by the HV until they're about five and enter full time schooling.

You may get keyed up on speech issues if your son goes to a nursery or preschool.  Usually the key-workers are very good about assessing children and alerting parents and or the appropriate people.

Thanks, Teletabby!

I did take him to the HV clinic earlier this week and was assured that he's doing fine (translation: I'm being a worried mother)  They did point out that his speech will most likely improve when (or if) he ever gets a place in a preschool or nursery.

Everything within a reasonable distance from our home (we have no car, so we're a bit limited) is oversubscribed. He's on a couple waiting lists, and most only have a September and January intake---so we'll probably be waiting until next September for a place by this point.

And of course, preschool is a no-go if we don't get this potty training thing sorted out. I didn't get much guidance with that bit apart from suggestions of things I've already tried...over and over...

And of course, preschool is a no-go if we don't get this potty training thing sorted out. I didn't get much guidance with that bit apart from suggestions of things I've already tried...over and over...

Not necessarily!  Check with individual preschools and playgroups - ours takes children before they are fully potty trained (otherwise my own daughter wouldn't be able to come!).

I know plenty of kids who have turned three and are not fully potty trained - every child is different.  Jean will be 3 in May and although she will happily use a kiddy toilet seat she will not wear panties and doesn't seem to notice often that she is wet or poopy.  So we've got her in pullups and occasionally using the toilet.  We figure with the new baby arriving any week now it wasn't the time to push the issue so we're leaving it for a bit.

Slices, the HV also reassured me that plenty of children are not fully potty trained by age 3---but I swear the mothers of those particular children are hiding, or incredibly quiet. It seems like everyone I know has children that trained insanely early compared to my own.

My little guy has always been behind the usual timeline for developmental milestones and I suppose he'll sort out the potty training in his own time, as well. He was a late sitter-upper, crawler, walker, etc, but he mastered all of them beautifully...eventually. I knew there was a reason I threw away all of those benchmark books long ago. The timelines drove me buggery crazy!

In any case, thanks again everyone!

Slices, the HV also reassured me that plenty of children are not fully potty trained by age 3---but I swear the mothers of those particular children are hiding, or incredibly quiet. It seems like everyone I know has children that trained insanely early compared to my own.

My little guy has always been behind the usual timeline for developmental milestones and I suppose he'll sort out the potty training in his own time, as well. He was a late sitter-upper, crawler, walker, etc, but he mastered all of them beautifully...eventually. I knew there was a reason I threw away all of those benchmark books long ago. The timelines drove me buggery crazy!

In any case, thanks again everyone!

Just to reassure you, my daughter will be 3 in May and we're just starting to get the hang of potty training...but it's VERY hit & miss (more miss rather than hit). I've also heard that boys are a bit behind girls when it comes to potty training as well so try not to worry, your son sounds completely normal to me. 

I completely understand what you mean though. I felt horrible when someone posted that their daughter (who is the same age as mine) counts to 50, can read a bit, spells & takes dance classes...but ya know what, my child is who she is and is as bright and capable as anyone elses and I love her to bits, I'm just not the type of parent to push her to develop too quickly and to just enjoy her as she is.