Healthcare professionals

It's natural to discuss your child's progress and health worries with family and friends and they can give you help and reassurance. However, if your child is unwell, or you are worried that they do not seem to be doing the same as other children of their age, there is a team of health professionals to support your child and you as well. Don't be worried that you are 'bothering them'. They are there for you. So who are they?

Your midwife

A midwife is a nurse who specialises in pregnancy, birth and new babies. Midwives run antenatal sessions and look after women and babies during the birth, and for the first ten days or so after the birth. Midwives will be able to advise you on things like breastfeeding, caring for your baby and will often have information on mother and baby groups and other support groups in your area for mothers with young children. Your midwife will probably also offer your baby the Guthrie test at around six days. This is to check for a rare problem that can cause developmental problems if not detected. Many new mothers find their midwife a real support and a good source of help in the early days.

Your health visitor

Is a nurse who specialises in the care of young children and their families. Every family is given their own health visitor who will visit new parents in their home about 10 to 14 days after the birth of the baby. They are there to give information, advice, talk about any worries that you as a parent might have, and to check the baby. Your health visitor may be able to help with a wide variety of problems from feeding to crying and issues like tantrums and potty training. Your health visitor is there to help you, she is not checking whether you are a perfect parent or not. You can also talk to your health visitor if you have a health worry about your baby, but do remember she is not a doctor and so she cannot prescribe medicine.

Your health visitor will also invite you for regular developmental checks from birth up until they start primary school at 6-8 weeks, 6-9 months, 18 months, 2 years and just before your child starts school. These are to ensure that the baby is progressing normally, can hear, see and that any problems are picked up early. You do not have to attend these checks, but it is a good idea so you can be sure all is well. Some health visitors run groups for parents to get to know each other and share the load, or offer parenting courses, as well as dealing with health queries.

If you want to contact your health visitor, phone your GP to find out who is your health visitor and when they are available.

Your GP

A GP is a doctor who works in the community, not a specialist in a hospital. Your GP will look after you when you or your family has a medical problem. To see a GP you need to be registered with one, so do make sure you register with a local surgery or particular doctor. Try to do this before one of you needs medical help, as most doctors will only take a certain number of new patients. Remember too, that your new baby will need to be registered as well. If you move house, even if it is a short distance away, tell your surgery the new address and check that your GP is still willing to have you on their list. To find a local GP, ask for a list in the library or ask a local pharmacist. If you have particular needs, for instance, you would prefer to see a woman GP, check with the surgery before you register. If you want to speak to your GP or arrange an appointment, you will normally speak first to a receptionist who will arrange a suitable time. Always tell the receptionist if it is an emergency and the age of your child.

When you have a baby, your GP may give you a check-up around six weeks after the birth to make sure you are recovering well from the birth. They will also offer your baby a range of vaccinations (immunisations) to protect them from serious illnesses. You can also see them for any other medical problem your child has. Always tell them as much as possible about your child's symptoms.

Your dentist

Your dentist will look after your and your children's teeth. Under NHS rules all children can have free dental treatment and checks until they reach 16. All new mothers can also have free dental checks for the first year after the birth. If you and your child are not registered with a dentist, NHS Direct– a government helpline for all sorts of health advice – can tell you where to find your nearest dentist or new dental access centre (open in the evening and at weekends). Most dentists see both NHS and private patients. NHS patients who are not children or new mothers do have to pay a small charge. Private patients generally pay a larger one.

Your pharmacist

These are specialist health professionals who make and sell medicines. They are either based in chemists or often in supermarkets too. If your doctor gives you a prescription, a pharmacist will make it up but they can also be a good source of information on whether your child is old enough to take an over-the-counter children's medicine. Always ask to talk to the pharmacist if you have a question, as not all the people working in pharmacies are pharmacists.

The Family Health Maze: A Parents' Guide to health services in England and Wales June 2003

A publication from the Family and Parenting Institute that aims to give parents basic, practical information about their rights and responsibilities where their child's health is concerned. It also offers advice on how to make the most of the health service, from school nurses to specialist treatment, and offers reliable sources that parents can turn to for help and advice. See our publications page for order details or to download a free copy.

Last updated: 10th September 2009 at 02:09:16