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"Child Health appointment information provided"

About: Mt Hawthorn Child Health Clinic

(as a parent/guardian),

I went for my child's 12 month check up with our local Child Health Nurse and I was appalled. No matter what part of parenting that came up, I was made to feel like I was doing it all wrong and that I was a lazy parent! I came in concerned that my child was crying a lot in their sleep, and I was worried they were in pain. I recall the CHN told me my child is crying because they don’t want to co sleep any more and I should put them in their own room.

I recall they told me multiple times I need to cut down the amount of times I breastfeed my child, that I am too affectionate with them, my fault that I didn’t know my child was teething (it was only their second tooth - how am I supposed to be an expert as a first time parent), basically that I was lazy by keeping my child in the bed with me at night.

I recall they even went so far as to seemingly tease me for the ring tone my phone had (which is a standard ringtone)! They gave me no help or insight into why my child has night terrors. I felt that no support or kindness was show what so ever. Based on my experience, I will never use this service again.

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Responses

Response from Terri Barrett, Nurse Co-Director, Child and Adolescent Health Service- Community Health, Child and Adolescent Health Service - WA 2 months ago
Terri Barrett
Nurse Co-Director, Child and Adolescent Health Service- Community Health,
Child and Adolescent Health Service - WA
Submitted on 27/02/2024 at 12:25 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 12:33 PM


Dear heronyd95

Thank you for taking the time to provide us with feedback on your experience at your child’s 12-month assessment. I am very sorry that your experience was not a positive one. These scheduled assessments are so important in ensuring that children are on track with their growth and development and should provide parents with support and encouragement. It is clear that this was not your experience and I apologise for that.

Our goal is always to acknowledge parent’s strengths, giving them confidence in their skills and knowledge of their own child. I would be very keen to provide the nurse with feedback. If you would like to provide more information to enable me to do this, I encourage you to contact the Child and Family Engagement Service on 6456 0032 Monday to Friday 8.30am – 4.30pm or email CAHSFeedback@health.wa.gov.au.

You are able to attend any clinic and I would encourage you to contact our Child Health Booking System on 1300 749 869 when the time comes for your child’s two year old check.

Kind regards

Terri Barrett
Nurse Director - Child and Adolescent Community Health

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