"We felt truly cared for every step of the way"

We’ve received very good support from the health visiting service over the past 9 months. Our baby faced challenges with weight gain and motor skills, and Michaela has been fantastic throughout. She carried out regular visits, provided consistent and reassuring support to us as parents, and ensured all necessary referrals were completed promptly. Her professionalism and genuine care made a real difference during a stressful time.

We’re incredibly thankful for the support Jenni provided as our paediatric dietitian. From the beginning, she offered consistent and caring communication — both in person and over the phone. She was always happy to receive texts and videos to better understand our baby’s needs and ensure her advice was timely and effective.

What truly set Jenni apart was the emotional support she gave me as a mum during a very challenging time. She went above and beyond her role, not only with her professional knowledge but also with her compassion and reassurance. Her support made a huge difference in our journey, and we felt truly cared for every step of the way.

We attended the rapid response service on several occasions when our baby was younger, following guidance from both our health visitor and GP. This was an incredibly stressful period for us as parents, as we were deeply concerned about our baby’s health.

While the clinical care provided was very good and we are grateful for the support, some of the communication we received during our visits was difficult to hear and left us feeling dismissed. One comment that stood out was that she was not sick enough yet for them to do anything. At the time, our baby had bronchitis and had stopped eating — we were extremely worried. It felt as though we were waiting for her to deteriorate further before action could be taken. Ironically, a week later when we felt she was improving but had lost weight due to that earlier illness, the service was far more responsive.

Another comment that stayed with me was implying that I just want to come and see them all the time. This was hard to hear. As a parent, I was doing my best to follow professional advice and seek help when needed. I did not want to be there — it was never a choice, but a necessity. Comments like these made me feel as though I was being judged or that my concerns were not being taken seriously.

I fully understand these remarks were not made with bad intentions, but during an already emotional and vulnerable time, they had a significant impact. I believe a bit more sensitivity in communication — especially with parents who are under stress and following professional guidance — would go a long way in helping families feel supported rather than dismissed.