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| Babies missing out on key checks after fall in health visitor numbers Babies missing out on key checks after fall in health visitor numbers | |
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| Babies are no longer receiving vital checks of their health and development at key stages of their young lives because the number of health visitors is falling, ministers have been told. | Babies are no longer receiving vital checks of their health and development at key stages of their young lives because the number of health visitors is falling, ministers have been told. |
| Health visitors, who for decades have advised new parents on how to care for their baby, are no longer able to do that with everyone who has a newborn, according to a report. | Health visitors, who for decades have advised new parents on how to care for their baby, are no longer able to do that with everyone who has a newborn, according to a report. |
| A dwindling number of health visitors and growing workloads mean that only 70% of families now receive the traditional health visitor review of their baby’s progress after six to eight weeks, one year and two to two-and-a-half years. | A dwindling number of health visitors and growing workloads mean that only 70% of families now receive the traditional health visitor review of their baby’s progress after six to eight weeks, one year and two to two-and-a-half years. |
| In addition, 70% of families no longer receive an antenatal call from a health visitor while the mother-to-be is pregnant. | In addition, 70% of families no longer receive an antenatal call from a health visitor while the mother-to-be is pregnant. |
| And some health visitors now have to look after between 500 and 1,000 children, when the maximum recommended is 250, according to a survey of 1,224 health visitors undertaken by the Institute of Health Visiting. | And some health visitors now have to look after between 500 and 1,000 children, when the maximum recommended is 250, according to a survey of 1,224 health visitors undertaken by the Institute of Health Visiting. |
| The survey found 85% of respondents say their workload has increased in the last two years, and 80% say they have seen an increase in domestic violence and abuse in families they visit. | The survey found 85% of respondents say their workload has increased in the last two years, and 80% say they have seen an increase in domestic violence and abuse in families they visit. |
| The evidence of decline in the service collated by the IHV prompted warnings that it could damage the health of children, especially those from poor backgrounds. | The evidence of decline in the service collated by the IHV prompted warnings that it could damage the health of children, especially those from poor backgrounds. |
| “Our health visiting service has been the envy of the world but its very viability in England is now under threat,” said Dr Cheryll Adams, the IHV’s executive director. | “Our health visiting service has been the envy of the world but its very viability in England is now under threat,” said Dr Cheryll Adams, the IHV’s executive director. |
| She said the service had ceased to be universal partly because, according to NHS Digital figures, the number of whole-time-equivalent health visitors in England had fallen from 10,309 in October 2015 to 9,311 in August this year – a drop of 988. | She said the service had ceased to be universal partly because, according to NHS Digital figures, the number of whole-time-equivalent health visitors in England had fallen from 10,309 in October 2015 to 9,311 in August this year – a drop of 988. |
| The Conservative MP Dan Poulter, who as a health minister in the coalition oversaw a dramatic expansion in health visitor numbers from 8,000 in 2012 to 12,000 in 2015, voiced concern about the institute’s findings. | The Conservative MP Dan Poulter, who as a health minister in the coalition oversaw a dramatic expansion in health visitor numbers from 8,000 in 2012 to 12,000 in 2015, voiced concern about the institute’s findings. |
| “Given that health visitors promote that crucial bond between mum and baby, providing health, nutritional and practical advice to new families, the reduction in health visitor numbers, coupled with increasing pressure on services, will have a potentially damaging effect on both the physical and mental health of infants, and could result in reduced life chances in children from the most deprived backgrounds,” he said. | “Given that health visitors promote that crucial bond between mum and baby, providing health, nutritional and practical advice to new families, the reduction in health visitor numbers, coupled with increasing pressure on services, will have a potentially damaging effect on both the physical and mental health of infants, and could result in reduced life chances in children from the most deprived backgrounds,” he said. |
| Increasing the number of health visitors was a key commitment in the Conservative manifesto for the 2010 election. But after years of rising numbers, they appear to be slipping back again. | Increasing the number of health visitors was a key commitment in the Conservative manifesto for the 2010 election. But after years of rising numbers, they appear to be slipping back again. |
| Poulter said cuts to local councils’ budgets in recent years were partly to blame for the IHV’s findings. Councils taking over responsibility for commissioning health visitor services from the NHS meant there was “always a risk that this vital service would be jeopardised by the squeeze on local government finances”, he said. | Poulter said cuts to local councils’ budgets in recent years were partly to blame for the IHV’s findings. Councils taking over responsibility for commissioning health visitor services from the NHS meant there was “always a risk that this vital service would be jeopardised by the squeeze on local government finances”, he said. |
| Shirley Cramer, chief executive of the Royal Society for Public Health, said: “The early years of a child’s life are an absolutely critical period for delivering effective public health interventions, which makes the service delivered by health visitors one of enormous importance. | Shirley Cramer, chief executive of the Royal Society for Public Health, said: “The early years of a child’s life are an absolutely critical period for delivering effective public health interventions, which makes the service delivered by health visitors one of enormous importance. |
| “Access to this service is a universal right, and if overstretched health visitors are unable to deliver the service to every family then it can only exacerbate already widening health inequalities. Every child deserves the best start and best chances for a long and healthy life.” | “Access to this service is a universal right, and if overstretched health visitors are unable to deliver the service to every family then it can only exacerbate already widening health inequalities. Every child deserves the best start and best chances for a long and healthy life.” |
| The IHV’s Adams said cutting back health visiting services was a false economy that would add to the NHS and local government’s costs in the long run, for example by increasing referrals to children’s services. | The IHV’s Adams said cutting back health visiting services was a false economy that would add to the NHS and local government’s costs in the long run, for example by increasing referrals to children’s services. |
| A Department of Health spokesman said: “Health visitors are a vital part of the community care that the NHS provides. That’s why we’ve funded, recruited and trained thousands more since 2010.” | A Department of Health spokesman said: “Health visitors are a vital part of the community care that the NHS provides. That’s why we’ve funded, recruited and trained thousands more since 2010.” |