Norfolk parents call for more face-to-face support in survey

A survey into the region's health visiting service has found that video calls and "impersonal" questionnaires are being increasingly relied on to monitor the development of babies and young children.

And some new parents have questioned how well health visitors can assess a baby's development without seeing them in person.

The survey was carried out by patient group Healthwatch Norfolk, which launched the study after hearing concerns from patients about how the service was carried out.

And it showed parents were keen for more opportunities to see health visitors face-to-face.

One of the 300 participants, a parent-of-two, said: "At both of the new baby checks in my home, I felt supported and listened to.

"I was so disappointed that when my second baby was born, the six-to-eight week check was carried out via video call."

Another said they feared babies would "slip through the net" stating "they didn't even see my baby so how can they know they are developing fine?"

A third said that a questionnaire sent out was "impersonal" so went "straight in the bin".

Alex Stewart, chief executive of Healthwatch Norfolk (Image: Archant)

Alex Stewart, chief executive of Healthwatch Norfolk, said: "We got a wide range of responses with a lot linked to greater contact.

"Parents felt they needed more reassurance of the services and support that are available and the results will help Norfolk County Council build and enhance the services it offers."

Sian Larrington, head of the service at County Hall, said: "We recognise virtual appointments during the pandemic worked less well for some families, and we have returned to face-to-face visits for our appointments between pregnancy and the child's review at a year old.

"We valued the feedback of parents and carers on how we communicate with them and have already started to make changes to how we communicate the services available."