Abstract
A family is brought to your attention in a clinical meeting with the practice nurse. The family are refusing invitations for vaccinations. The practice nurse has proactively spoken to the parents via telephone to try to understand the reasons for not booking in. The children’s mother is worried about them being upset after the injections. The father is worried about contamination with heavy metals.
What other things do you have to consider when children are overdue their vaccinations?
What other members of the primary care team can you involve in this situation?
You bring the family in for an appointment and discuss their individual concerns. With the support of some written material from the Public Health England you discuss the benefits of vaccination. You bring the family’s details to the practice meeting with the health visitors and discuss whether there are any underlying safeguarding concerns.
What might indicate the children are being neglected in other ways?
How would you document your concerns in the family’s notes safely bearing data protection rules in mind?