Health Visitors

House of Lords written question – answered at on 11 June 2007.

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Photo of The Earl of Listowel The Earl of Listowel Crossbench

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they are taking to ensure that a career as a health visitor is an attractive option; and what signs there are of their success in doing so; and

What steps they are taking to improve the professional framework for health visitors; and

What contribution (a) health visitors, and (b) nurses make to safeguarding children and promoting their welfare.

Photo of Lord Hunt of Kings Heath Lord Hunt of Kings Heath Minister of State, Department of Health, Minister of State (Department of Health) (NHS Reform)

Health visitors and nurses working in the community have a key role in assessing local health needs and demonstrating to commissioners their contribution to better health outcomes, in particular for disadvantaged groups. Health visitors provide a progressive universal service to all families and identify health needs to enable them to work closely with the most vulnerable children and families. They focus on early intervention and prevention and much of the work of health visitors involves identifying where children are at risk, and in their contribution to child protection plans for specific children and their families.

We have introduced a number of policies aimed at the strengthening of prevention and the integration of services which has been consistently endorsed in Every Child Matters, the Chief Nursing Officer's review of the nursing contribution to vulnerable children; the National Service Framework for Children, Young People and Maternity Services, Our Health, our care, Our say, Maternity Matters, and, the policy review of children and young people.

We are reviewing the role of health visitors. This review is being informed by the views and experiences of a wide range of stakeholders, including front-line health visitors, which have been gathered through a series of regional events called "Let's Talk about Health Visiting". These events engaged with practitioners, local leaders and commissioners in clarifying the role of health visitors for the future. This work is closely linked to the Modernising Nursing Careers career pathways and educational preparation of all nurses working in the community, ensuring the community workforce is fit for the future.

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