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View Full Version : Changes made to monitoring your baby's growth and development (SA)



littlelexi
24-11-2011, 16:59
PLEASE SIGN MY PETITION: http://www.change.org/petitions/hon-john-hill-sa-minister-for-health-reverse-changes-made-to-the-drop-in-service-run-by-child-and-youth-health

I am a mother of an 8 month old son and up until recently I have been regularly using the local Drop In Service provided by Child and Youth Health. This service was a fantastic initiative that provided a safe and supportive environment for carers to get their babies weighed, measured and have questions answered by a nurse. As a first time mum of a baby who has had difficulties gaining weight, this sort of regular monitoring and conversation with someone who knew me right from the start was invaluable.

The Drop In Service used to provide a relaxed and inviting setting to monitor your baby’s progress by:
-having him/her weighed (charted by the nurse in baby’s blue book)
-having him/her measured - height (charted by the nurse in baby’s blue book)
-being able to discuss any relevant issues (with a qualified nurse and other parents in the room if you wished to)
All of this was done with the assistance of at least one qualified nurse.

Recent changes mean that weights and height measurements are completed by the parent/carer in the presence of a volunteer with no relevant qualifications (measurements are not recorded and heights are sometimes estimated). To speak to a qualified nurse, you must now take a number and sit in a waiting room for often 30-45 minutes.

zipposteele
28-02-2012, 18:08
Thank you for posting this. As a mother of a premmie baby myself, I too understand the invaluable service provided by Child Health nurses (QLD Health). I had to same registered nurse come to my home for months after leaving special care. It is a shame the SA Government appears to be cutting costs, rather than continuing to provide a quality service to parents. Good luck!