Nottinghamshire Children’s health disregarded after Covid-19 pandemic

A recent Nottinghamshire health review has found the health of children in the region may have ‘fallen through the cracks’ after NHS home visits reduced during the pandemic.

Current NHS guidelines state that from late pregnancy to a child reaching the age of around two and a half, a family should receive five in-person health visits. However, since the pandemic, many families in Nottinghamshire have reported that have had three check-ins via telephone.

During a council meeting about the issue, some local councillors, who are also new parents, told personal stories of ‘being left with babies’ with only phone calls from health visitors as opposed to the usual in-person visits.

The problem was discussed during the Nottinghamshire County Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on 28^th March.

Vice Chairman Councillor, Bethan Eddy, raised concerns the welfare of some children could have ‘fallen through the cracks’ because they had not seen been in-person enough.

Cllr Eddy said: ‘There’s a couple of us who come from a very personal place with this who had children during the pandemic.

‘My daughter was three months old when we went into lockdown. Both her reviews were done over the phone and a questionnaire through the post.

‘I am very worried that there are going to be children and mothers who during that time won’t have been picked up because we weren’t seen face-to-face. As a new mum, it was a very scary time.’

During the pandemic arrangements were made by NHS England – a six to eight week check on a baby was comprised of a telephone call and a ‘short’ visits to weigh the baby and check in with the mum.  

Cllr Eddy went on to comment that the system worked differently for families identified as vulnerable, who would have received more contact.

Alongside some families receiving minimal treatment, before the pandemic, research shows that the area of Nottinghamshire people live in contributes to whether they receive a health check.

Cllr Michelle Welsh questioned by 734 families were seen for face-to-face birth reviews in Rushcliffe in 2020/21, but only 208 families were in Gedling.

Joseph Sullivan, Director for Children and Families, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: ‘We do have unprecedented staffing challenges.

‘We are pleased to say there has been significant improvements across the county in terms of staffing. Despite the challenges, the performance data is still improving and growing.

‘What I would say is that the people that work within the trust are the most critical part of making a difference to our children and families.’

Image: Jonathan Borba