I wish to comment on the recent decision in Nottinghamshire to make all current drop in clinics for babies and young children, appointment only.
I am a community organiser in Bestwood Village, Nottingham and we fought hard over a period of 3 years for the present once a month drop in clinic. It is used primarily by young, often isolated mothers mainly for baby weighing - but during this process conversation often leads to relating other health issues affecting the child and a seeking of reassurance from the mother.
This informal though extremely useful service is - at very short notice - being terminated and I very much doubt whether those same mothers will use the appointment system as planned. They will just disappear into the community.
It would have been really helpful to have had more notice of this change in order to manage the transition more effectively and wonder whether we could continue until say, March under the present system? Failing that, could we have the 'phone numbers urgently where appointments can be made? Currently these are not available and in order to communicate this change in arrangements to the village community we need to be able to advise the contact numbers.
"Concern over change in health visitor services"
About: Children & younger people's services / Newark and Sherwood Health Family Team Children & younger people's services Newark and Sherwood Health Family Team
Posted by Maximus9 (as ),
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