The Institute of Health Visiting its new "State of Health Visiting, UK Survey Report – From disparity to opportunity: The case for rebuilding health visiting," report which delves into the challenges and disparities faced by families with babies and young children across the UK.
Now in its 11th year, the survey draws on valuable insights from health visiting practitioners who witness the realities of family life and the escalating complexities faced by families.
The report underscores the urgent need for government intervention. Without immediate action to increase the number of health visitors, the health and wellbeing of countless families and children are at risk. The Government has committed to transforming the trajectory by raising the “healthiest generation of children ever,” strengthening health visiting, and shifting the focus from sickness to prevention. However, significant efforts are required to turn this vision into reality.
- 84% of practitioners reported a rise in demand for health visiting support over the past 12 months, but the workforce has not kept pace with this increased need.
- Continuity of Care: Only 45% of health visitors in England can provide continuity of care "all or most of the time," compared to 90% in Scotland, 86% in Northern Ireland, and 85% in Wales.
- Workforce Shortages: In England, 73% of health visitors said that workforce shortages affected their ability to support families when a need was identified.
The top reason for increased demand for health visiting support is perinatal mental health problems. Health visitors have also seen a rise in child behaviour problems, including neurodevelopmental issues like autism and ADHD. In contrast, practitioners in England reported an increase in social concerns due to poverty and safeguarding issues below the threshold for Children’s Social Care.
Practitioners reported high rates of work-related stress, as they are often the frontline professionals who must inform families that they cannot provide the needed care due to a “broken NHS.” The survey findings highlight the critical role of health visiting in safeguarding and improving outcomes for babies, children, and families.
The report outlines four key areas requiring immediate attention:
- Funding: Adequate funding to expand the reach of health visiting services, recruit and retain skilled health visitors, and provide continuous professional development.
- Workforce: Train, retain, and reform the health visiting workforce, with specific actions for England to meet the national long-term workforce plan.
- Quality: End the postcode lottery of health visiting support by ensuring all areas provide services that reflect best practices and are proportionate to need.
- Research and Development: Support health visiting research, workforce development, and the sharing of evidence-driven models of best practice.
In response to the survey, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, Cllr David Fothergill, said:
“This survey paints a deeply concerning picture of the challenges faced by families with babies and young children. Rising levels of need and complexity, coupled with a decline in the health visiting workforce, are leaving many without the critical early support that can transform lives.
“Urgent action is needed to rebuild and strengthen the health visiting workforce. The findings highlight the pressing need for long-term investment in health visiting services to address stark disparities and deliver high-quality, personalised care for families.
“Health visitors are a safety-critical workforce, essential to improving children’s health and development. Committing to an ambitious plan to increase the number of health visitors and resourcing these services properly will ensure that all families can access support, reducing pressures on the NHS and improving outcomes for children and families. Failing to act is a false economy.”
The Institute of Health Visiting's comprehensive survey sheds light on the pressing issues facing health visiting services in the UK. It is a clarion call for government action to rebuild and strengthen health visiting, ensuring the health and wellbeing of future generations.
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