Checked out by Health Visitor

[nylonmeals]

Would really value some Forum-ite advice:

Back in November when my husband and I were out at work our youngest managed to burn his hands on the over. A nasty accident but no-one's fault. He ended up in A and E and bandages for a few weeks.

I was phoned by the Health Visitors just before Xmas who said that it was extremely important for them to come and check that his hands were healing properly. They said that they wanted to come as soon as possible so came in the week between Xmas and New Year.

When the HV arrived she said that the clinic was concerned about the health of our child as he had a severe nut allergy and was repeatedly going into hospital and at the last trip he had been put on an IV and had then burnt his hands on the oven and had had to come to A&E again. They were worried that he wasn't being properly cared for. I told her that our son didn't have a nut allergy , had never been on an IV or to A&E for that and asked to see the notes. The notes were about a girl and not our son. Basically they had mixed up our notes. But even after saying that they had made a mistake they stayed for an hour and a half asking quite intrusive questions about how involved my parents were with the up-brining of our children, where they lived, what nursery provision we had for our oldest chid, numbers of bedrooms. Which we of course answered. I know that they are only doing their jobs, but I am actually a bit cross that we were subjected to that on account of their patient note mix up. I am also worried that our children might be on some kind of "at risk" list for no reason.

Is there anything that I should do - like writing to our doctors so that they have in writing that they made a mistake in their notes and to ensure that they confirm to us that they have rectified the notes. Or should I just leave it?

Thoughts??

[Saffron]

Put EVERYTHING in writing, in duplicate and signed.

[birnehelene]

Agree with Saffron and I would also put in a formal complaint to PALS.

[Jessie]

Have sent you a PM

[Lochie]

I would write to your practice manager, explain that you were visited by two HVS who were checking on the care of your son because they had the notes of someone else, and ask for confirmation in writing that your child is not listed as having a severe nut allergy on his medical records with numerous visits to a&e.

Apart from anything else it was their error (the mixed up notes bit) and understandably upsetting for you. I am sure they will not hesitate to put something in writing clarifying that it was error.

Poor you. I hope it gets cleared up ok for you.

**Sorry just saw someone suggested PALS, that is a better idea...

[buggie]

It's v bad that the note had been muddled, and that you felt so uncomfortable. I would suggest writing to The primary care trusts Patient Liason Service to so that the HV team reviews the issues you raise - things can't improve unless the problems are raised with them (& PALS is the most effective way).

Speaking as a paeds A&E nurse, unfortunately frequent A&E attendances can sometimes indicate problems (ranging from the v v serious like Baby P down to stress within the family that a bit of support/advice from the HV could help to resolve) therefore, HV's & school nurses are informed of attendances and they often follow up whether by phone or visit (especially if several episodes occur in near succession). In my former dept, all families are asked if they have contact with social services as a matter of course (asking all means no stigma attached or assumptions made).

I know as a parent myself I'd feel rattled if questioning seemed to question my parenting/childcare, but, the HV can't make assumptions & was probably so thorough as they thought all was ok but didn't want to miss a jot. Take heart from their thoroughness in that a genuine child in need would be identified by them and have the help they need.

[buggie]

(Cross posted with half the thread!)

[lucyA1308]

I also hope that the poor child who should have been visited has been visited. If there is an "at risk child" who needs attention, and there notes are still in a muddle, then that child will still be at risk. I think for that child, whether there is a real need or not, they need to be reminded that your child wasn't the one who should have been visited, and they needed to visit someone else.

[nylonmeals]

Thank you so much all. Really appreciate all the advice and will do just that. I'd never heard of PALS (bad mum!)but that sounds like a good place to start. Thank you again!

[ryedalema]

You poor thing - our oldest fell out of her top bunk (and Buggie treated her :) ) a few years ago and we received a similar visit from an HV to ensure our house was 'kid proof'.

They suggested we move the kitchen!!!

And I've been on the receiving end of bad/inaccurate notes. I applied for life insurance a couple of years ago and through the process found out that I had:

- mental illness issues

- septicaemia

- something else that I can't remember...

I've never had any of these.

I asked my Doctor (at DMC) about these at the time and they said that they'd recently swapped over filing systems and had brought in someone to data input - with drop down bars for the list of conditions! They thought that might have been the cause of the mistakes.

I was (of course) livid, but would recommend that anyone request their notes and make sure they are accurate...it has loads of implications.

Imagine if you were unconscious and they had to rely on your notes to decide a treatment path!!!!

[intexasatthe moment]

Muddles with notes seem fairly common .

I was recently refused a repeat prescriptio at Forest Hill Rd surgery and was told I'd seen GP 4 days earlier .

When I persued this it turned out patient with same name ( I promise mine is not common ) and told " Well you'd better watch out for that then ."

How about them watching out for it /using birthdates .

Poor you nylonmeals,surely if HV doing their jobs they should have tried to be more discreet ,avoiding putting parents backs up if they really did need support .

And showing you another persons notes ?

Were they HV or health care assistants ?

[Fly]

I'd write to chief executive and copy in PALS