Can they call social services on you for declining to see the health visitor?

Meant to click no but I’m US based. So I don’t know if it’s different out of the US.

Not in the US

No, unless it’s part of a bigger picture of you refusing to engage with parenting support where concerns have been identified. It wouldn’t be a reason on its own. I’ve opted out of health visitor checks and no-one has raised any concerns about it 😊 Edit: just seen that you’re in Australia so I don’t know about where you are. I’m in the UK

No! It's an entirely optional service... at least in the UK.

No, it’s completely optional but they put on your baby’s GP records that you declined the service. Doesn’t do anything though x

In the US, it is considered medical neglect if the child isn't seen for routine checkups.

I accidentally hit think so because in my head I read it as “don’t think so”

@Des wow, this sounds strange! It’s the first I’ve heard of this being called medical neglect if you refuse routine check ups. I understand if your child has some medical concern that needs attention, and you are refusing, is something else entirely.

I dont understand why you'd not want to see a health visitor ?

@Rebecca some of them are super old fashioned, not evidence based, judgemental, useless, etc?

@Rebecca to some, it’s not about wanting to, it’s more about being able to. Obviously, I would like to know my baby’s health on a regular basis, but certain things can make it impossible to have regular checkups. For some it could be a problem with transportation and there are moms that don’t drive. Other times it’s money related. I remember I was going on regular checkups with my kiddos, when our insurance suddenly stopped coverage without notifying us. We were slapped with so many medical bills, that we are now still paying off and struggling financially because we already had enough high bills before this. So for the time being, until those are paid off, we have put routine check ups on hold for a bit. Of course if I notice my child needs to see a doctor for some reason, we will go, so I don’t think I am being neglectful by making certain life choices that I believe are right.

@Ali I think it is considered neglect because a lot of major health concerns can be found by having regular checkups and blood work so treatment can begin ASAP.

@Rebecca for me I had to decline because they kept booking appointments in the middle of the working day or at baby centres multiple buses away. In the newborn stage, I waited in for days and had 2 failed visits when they never turned up. When she did arrive she wanted to know what rent was like as her son was looking in the area 🤦🏼‍♀️ For my daughter’s latest, they didn’t understand why I couldn’t make a midday midweek appointment and why my daughter was in childcare 8 miles from home (she’s next to my work at a lovely nursery). So I couldn’t make their appointments and I wasn’t going to take my daughter out of nursery at cost to me just to tick a few boxes in the red book. Not all health visitor services are good but as long as baby is being seen by the GP/dentist, getting jabs and in the system it’s fine. The HV is totally voluntary here but some are just useless or inflexible xx