A damning report today warns that GPs are not providing proper support for new parents by refusing to perform face-to-face check-ups of babies.
The move to remote consultations and the closure of drop-in clinics has left mothers and fathers feeling isolated and worried about children’s health.
The report said Covid restrictions are having a ‘significant impact on babies, their families and the services that support them’.
The survey revealed that many families still struggle to get care from their GPs, and routine visits with doctors have been delayed or missed.
Today’s damning report shows that doctors and nurses are refusing to conduct face-to–face checks on newborns. This is a sign of how poorly GPs support parents.
Last year, only 11 percent of parents of children below two reported having seen a healthcare professional face to face.
The new report, by three charities, said: ‘Over a year later, families told us that they are still struggling to access care, particularly from universal health care professionals like GPs and health visitors.
‘They told us how this left them feeling unsupported, isolated and let down.’
The Department of Health said: ‘The NHS, local authorities and health visitors are working hard to reinstate services to help families get the support they need.’
NHS England has pledged to name and shame any surgery that fails to fulfill patient requests.
Today’s report also includes a poll of 224 professionals and volunteers who work with families with young children.
A mere 28% of respondents reported that their health checking routines and contacts were still done mainly by phone or on-line.
Nearly a third (33%) reported that the health visitor drop in clinics which existed prior to the pandemic had stopped operating.
A majority of GPs now operate mainly online, and only 1% reported that their service has returned to normal.
The move to remote consultations and the closure of drop-in clinics has left mothers and fathers feeling isolated and worried about children’s health
The authors said the resumption of face-to-face services would be ‘hugely valuable, particularly given the specific challenges of assessing babies’ wellbeing and development’.
One mother told the report’s authors: ‘We’ve not seen anyone. The 12-month mark was reached by Zoom. [health visitor] check-up.
‘Of all my friends, I was the only one that actually got a video call, which was shocking. They didn’t even get a phone call.’
Some parents informed charities they cannot access toddler and baby groups.
Of the professionals surveyed, 12 per cent said baby and toddler groups were ‘no longer operating in their area’.
‘The absence and/or inaccessibility of community baby and toddler groups is likely to continue to exacerbate feelings of loneliness and isolation that have been reported over the pandemic,’ the authors added.
Charities have urged the Government not to delay in investing in healthcare services, including services that support babies in Covid-19 rehabilitation plans.
They also called for an ‘evidence-based approach’ to be taken to the use of remote appointments and additional investment for face-to-face support where needed.