Health visitor Sheena Wells

Find out more about health visitor Sheena Wells in our Frontline Focus feature.

Name
Sheena Wells

Job title
Health Visitor

Department
Based at Falcon Lodge Clinic and Ashfurlong Medical Centre

How long have you worked at the trust?
15 years

What do you do?
I visit new mums and babies and children up to school age to identify health needs and improve the health and well-being of children. I also help parents to make positive changes to their lifestyle. Safeguarding children, addressing needs of vulnerable families, and following up domestic violence notifications are also a major part of my daily work.

I work closely with the local children’s centre and community shop on the estate that provides many services and groups which families can access.

What is the best thing about your job?
Helping mums with breastfeeding is very rewarding. It’s great to be able to offer encouragement and support to a new mum, and give her the confidence to be able to breastfeed her baby. It is also satisfying to help women with postnatal depression and empower and support people with any parenting difficulties they may have.

What is the worst thing about your job?
At times it can be very frustrating to juggle seeing patients and catching up on paperwork.

Frontline stories
I had been encouraging a mother to stop smoking even though she and her husband had tried many times before and one day she came to the clinic and was excited to tell me that they had both stopped and were saving over £400 a month which they were going to put towards saving for a deposit on a house. That makes your job rewarding and I am sure that they feel better for it too!

Holby City, Casualty, ER or House?
I’d rather listen to Premier Radio!