Principles of Health Visiting
- The search for health needs.
- The stimulation of an awareness of health needs.
- The influence on policies affecting health.
- The facilitation of health-enhancing activities.
What is the role of health visitor?
Health visitors are specialist community public health nurses, (SCPHN) registered midwives or nurses. They specialise in working with families with a child aged 0 to five to identify health needs as early as possible and improve health and wellbeing by promoting health, preventing ill health and reducing inequalities.
What age do health visitors stop?
You will be offered regular health and development reviews (health visitor checks) for your baby until they are 2. These are to support you and your baby, and make sure their development is on track.
What is a health visitor UK?
A health visitor is a qualified nurse or midwife who has had extra training. They’re there to help you, your family and your new baby stay healthy. Your health visitor can visit you at home, or you can see them at your child health clinic, GP surgery or health centre, depending on where they’re based.
What is a health visitor Scotland?
Health visitors are registered nurses or midwives who have undertaken further study at Masters level to become registered health visitors. They work in the community to provide a proactive and universal service to families with young children.
What rights does a health visitor have?
A health visitor has no right of access to your house – she cannot come in unless she is invited. Also, you are not obliged to use the services offered by a health visitor and you can refuse to see any of them at any time.
Is health visiting primary care?
Health visitors are part of the Primary Health Care Teams and work closely with local groups.
Do health visitors judge you?
Karen Stansfield, from the Institute of Health Visitors, told MFM their role is to “not to judge or inspect homes [of new parents] but instead to offer support and help to mothers and their partners and families.”
Can you decline a health visitor?
If you refuse all contact the HV will check to make sure there are no child protection concerns. She’ll probably look at your other child’s records and discuss your physical and mental health (and your partner’s) with GP. She’d also record your refusal on your baby’s computer or paper record.
Do health visitors inspect your house?
HVs don’t house check. they are simply to check the health of a baby.
What skills do health visitors have?
Health visitors are specialist community public health nurses, (SCPHN) registered midwives or nurses.
Must-have skills
- an interest in children and public health.
- excellent communication skills.
- to be well organised.
- confidence.
- to be able demonstrate leadership skills.
What is a health visitors role in safeguarding?
Health visitors have the clinical expertise and are well placed to conduct this work and have an important responsibility to safeguard children. They also have the knowledge and skills to respond to situations where abuse or neglect is suspected or evident.
How many times should you see a health visitor?
Your health visitor will see you at least three times; once during pregnancy (antenatal), again when your baby is around 10 days old and a further appointment at six to eight weeks following birth.
Can health visitors prescribe?
The vast majority of health visitors are community practitioner nurse prescribers (Bishop and Gilroy, 2015). Along with providing prescriptions, prescribing also involves giving guidance and advice about suitable medications, including those that can be purchased over the counter (Department of Health (DH), 1999).
Are health visitors medically trained?
Health visitors are registered nurses/midwives who have additional training in community public health nursing.
Can health visitors make referrals?
Even if your problem isn’t something a Health Visitor is qualified to advise on, they work in close partnership with other local healthcare providers and can offer referrals and make appointments with GPs, hospitals and specialist clinics. So don’t hesitate to speak to them about anything that’s bothering you.
Can health visitor check stitches?
You may be offered an examination to see if your stitches have healed if you had an episiotomy or caesarean section. If you were due for a cervical screening test while pregnant, this should be rescheduled for 12 weeks after the birth. You’ll be asked about contraception.
How can a health visitor promote positive outcomes?
Investing in Health Visitors as the basic infrastructure which enables outcomes to be made, and managing them so that learning is both their strategy, and the management strategy of their organisations and places, is how we can create positive outcomes for families.
Is health visiting a stressful job?
Mental demands – being a health visitor can be emotionally demanding, especially when dealing with at-risk and deprived groups, e.g. parents with addictions. Working with families and young children can be challenging and stressful.
What are the 3 types of primary care?
Primary care includes general practice, community pharmacy, dental, and optometry (eye health) services.
What are the 4 A’s in primary health care?
4 A’s = Accessibility, Availability, Affordability & Acceptability, Appropriateness of health services.