Nursery World - Health visitor numbers at their lowest since 2012

The number of health visitors has fallen by 8 per cent in a year and is now at its lowest level for six years, according to new analysis by the Labour party.

Figures also show that there have been 'steep cuts’ to NHS school nurses and community nursery nurses.

jonathan-ashworth At the annual conference held by Unite and the Community Practitioners' and Health Visitors' Association (CPHVA) in Bournemouth today (Wednesday 17 October), Jonathan Ashworth, (right), shadow health and social care secretary, will call for the Government’s NHS Long Term Plan to ‘put our children first.’

He will describe health visitor and school nurse cuts as ‘savage’, resulting in ‘shameful’ national inequalities in standards of care received by children.

Mr Ashworth will also reiterate Labour’s pledge to introduce an additional mandated health visit at three to four months.

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