You'll be pleased to know that I have no intention of becoming a regular commentator on news items on here but today I just can't stop myself.
If ever I sought vindication for making this soul searching decision it is this and there but for the grace of God etc.
Single-handedly managing a sprawling rural caseload of 350 children under the age of 5 on just 3 days a week (many health visitors have far greater numbers) it felt like it was only a matter of time before I missed something or made a wrong decision that would haunt me for the rest of my life.
I got out and have taken my 30 years of health visiting experience and expertise with me and probably a good 5 years sooner than I needed to and the relief here is palpable.
I don't know the details of Baby P's case but my heart goes out to the health visitor involved. Who can know what was expected of her in an average day?
Well I can guess.
I had an interesting discussion with one of the GPs I worked with before I left about the current state of the health visiting profession and we agreed several things
- there would be a big incident
- there would be a big outcry
- there would be a big investigation
- heads would roll
- someone might just spot what has really happened to the health visiting service in this country
- health visiting would have to be resurrected somehow because this country absolutely needs it doing what it's best at
Given that this conversation was only two weeks ago today and we reckoned this might happen within the next ten years, it all feels scarily prophetic.
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