If you read my "overwhelmed" thread the other day, you might remember that I received a letter on Friday casually telling me that the Health Visitor was coming to our house on Wednesday between 2-3 to do E's 12 month development check. That meant that I had to take a half a day off work at the last minute (in my new job) so I could be home.....

Anyway, today came and I dropped E at my inlaws' for the morning, then picked her up at 1.15pm, to be home for 2pm. She was really tired from playing all morning but there wasn't time to put her down for her nap before the appointment. Well, 2pm came and went..... as did 2.30.... then 3pm..... Finally, at 3.30pm, I called the office and they got the Health Visitor to call me back.

When she called at 3.50pm (imagine how grumpy my baby was by then!) she told me that she had visited but I wasn't in.

Me: No, I don't think so - I've been here and looking out of the window since 1.45pm.

HV: Oh, I came at ten to eleven... but you weren't in.

Me: Why would you come at ten to eleven when the appointment was 2pm?

HV: I had a case conference booked in for this afternoon. Child Protection cases have to take priority.

Okay, fair enough, but she didn't even leave a calling card to tell me she had been! I still would have wasted half a day's holiday but at least I wouldn't have kept E up two hours later than her nap time!

Then she said:

HV: Most of the 12 month development checks are done in clinic. I don't know why you were booked in for a home visit.... Did you have post natal depression or something?

Me: Yes, I did.

HV: Oh, I did wonder. It's only domestic violence or post natal depression cases we would visit..... but we would usually visit them every month and Iv'e never visited you before and you're one of my cases.... so......

Me: (frostily) No, you've never visited me. But Child Protection takes priority.

Then she told me she would be coming out to see me tomorrow. Erm, no you wont - I have work!

Grr! The incompetence drives me crazy!!