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Author :

A recent case has brought into focus the duties of health visitors in monitoring the health and development of young babies.

In the case of XM v Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (2020) EWHC 3102(QB) a young baby developed a papilloma which is a rare and benign brain tumour.  The papilloma resulted in the overproduction of cerebrospinal fluid which caused the baby’s head to grow abnormally fast.

Unfortunately, the health visitor monitoring the baby failed to measure the growing size of the baby’s head as they were obliged to do and as a result, tragically, the baby suffered catastrophic permanent brain injury. 

Had the health visitor taken measurements as they should have done, they would have picked up on the abnormal development of the baby’s head and the brain injury could have been prevented.

The exact amount of compensation that was agreed between the Health Authority and the baby’s parents was not published, but it would have been a multi-million pound settlement.

Who are Health Visitors?

Health visitors are nurses or midwives who are registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.  They have to undertake an additional qualification in community public health nursing to become specialist community public health nurses.

What are the general duties of a Health Visitor?

Health visitors see babies and young children at home and at child health clinics. They: -

  • Provide developmental assessments of babies and children;
  • Provide health advice and health education programmes;
  • Help to establish and address the health needs of babies and young children;
  • They can provide advice and support on a number of things such as immunisations, sleeping, diet, behavioural problems and other issues.
  • They act as a link by referring the baby or young child, where appropriate, to other agencies such as local authorities, social work, etc.

Who is responsible for Health Visitors?

Although they can work alongside GPs, they are employed directly by the Health Authority.

When do Health Visitors stop visiting?

In Scotland there are a number of mandated checks as follows-

  • There are a number of mandated checks pre-birth and following birth up to age 5 when the child goes to school.

If you think you may have a claim, and wish to discuss the matter further, please contact us on 0800 988 8082 or complete our online enquiry form.

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