Mum gives thanks to health visitor through nomination (From The Northern Echo)
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Mum gives thanks to health visitor through nomination
8:00am Monday 13th February 2012 in News
HEALTHY HELP: Marie Risker, second left, and children Carl, four, Chloe, eight, Bethany, 12, and Mojo, nine, with health visitor Diane Skirving
A NORTH-EAST mother-offive has praised her health visitor and counts her as one of the family for the way she has supported her as her children have grown up.
Marie Risker, 28, of North Ormesby, in Middlesbrough, is the mother of Bethany, 12, Mark, known as Mojo, nine, Chloe, eight, Angela, five, and four-year-old Carl, and has had the same health visitor for all her children.
Ms Risker’s first health visitor was the same one that attended when she was born and became a family friend.
When Bethany was a baby, a second health visitor, Diane Skirving, came on board to support her.
“I don’t like change and at first I was unsure about having a new health visitor, but I was assured Di was great, and she has been fantastic.
“She has supported me with all my children and, even though my youngest is now four, I am still in contact with Di.
“If I have a problem or I need to talk, Di is there and I know I can always call her.
“The kids love her and if she pops round while they are at school, they are upset.
“The health visitors are connected to the school nurses and nursery nurses and can put you in touch.”
Ms Risker’s mother died five years ago and her father more recently so she says Ms Skirving has been a support to her as much as the children.
“When I lost my mother, I had no idea what it would be like to lose a parent – you think they will be there forever.
Then to lose my father as well at the same time of year was devastating.
“Di came out to see me when she heard. We hadn’t arranged anything, but she just called to say she was popping round and came to see how I was doing.”
Ms Risker has decided to nominate Ms Skirving for the Family Award in the 2012 NHS North-East Health Visiting Awards.
Ms Skirving, who is employed by South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s community services, said: “I am a little bit taken aback to be nominated for an award as I was simply doing my job, but I am really happy to know that Marie and her children feel they were supported.”
To nominate your health visitor for an award, visit north east.nhs.uk/familyaward to complete a nomination form or call 0191-210-6441. Nominations close next Monday.
