Listening to new parents
Whilst listening to parents we heard that not everyone had the information they needed about the Warwickshire Health Visiting Service.
"My baby is 1 year old. I haven't had much contact with health visiting, but it has been positive. I have never had a clear way to contact them. I had to go to my GP to get the number to call for my health visitor. It was not straightforward. I don't know when I am supposed to see them unless they send a reminder text. I don't know what kind of things they help with? I don't really think about going to them, so I just ask other Mums. I don't know what their qualifications are, or if I should trust their advice? It would be helpful to have more visits to build up a relationship. I am not aware of any drop-ins."
Information about the Health Visiting Service can be found on the Warwickshire Child and Family Wellbeing webpage
This report has been shared with HCRG Care Group (providers of Warwickshire Health Visiting and School Nursing) and the Best Start in Life Team. Read their responses in full in the report.
"We would like to thank Healthwatch for gathering and sharing feedback from parents and carers about their experiences of the Health Visiting service. Hearing directly from families helps us understand what is working well and where improvements are needed.
We are currently just over three months into delivering the new 0–19 service model, developed with Warwickshire County Council. This model brings health visiting and school nursing together into a single integrated service, helping provide more coordinated support for children, young people and families.
We recognise that some families experienced disruption during the transition to the new service, particularly while new systems and processes were being introduced. We continue to review and strengthen these arrangements."
HCRG Care Group
"The feedback shared in this report offers helpful insight into what matters most to new parents and families, particularly around clear communication and navigating early years support. These findings will contribute to our wider understanding of family experiences across the 0-5 system in Warwickshire and will help to shape the Warwickshire Best Start offer."
Best Start in Life Team Warwickshire County Council
