Nursery World - Health visiting is in crisis

Redeployment during lockdown means many families are missing out, says Professor Russell Viner

Professor Russell Viner, president, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health

I’m sure I don’t need to tell you of the value of health visitors (HVs). Many of you will have had personal experience of their great work and the support they have given to the families you come into contact with.

Paediatricians such as myself see the health visitor role as crucial to children, families and paediatricians. Health visitors act as a frontline defence against multiple child health problems – from providing advice to parents on nutrition and feeding, to early identification of risk factors for serious illness, advising on vaccinations and identifying vulnerable children.

Health visitors are nurses or midwives trained in community public health who work with families with new babies, offering support and advice from before birth until the child starts school. Families usually receive several home visits from late pregnancy through to a developmental assessment when the child turns two. Sometimes, families are invited to groups, clinics and networks. So, what’s been happening to this invaluable service under Covid-19?

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