Health managers in Bexley have suggested that secretaries weigh babies instead of health visitors, leading to fears that child protection concerns will be missed.

In a bid to save Bexley Care Trust 12.3m by March, managers haveproposed that administrative staff without medical training startweighing babies, which is normally carried out by trained staff.

However, if a mistake was made, health visitors would be at risk oflegal action or being struck off the nursing register.

Obi Amadi, Amicus's lead professional officer, said weighing babiesinvolves specific training, particularly identifying if a child was atrisk.

"It seems that the importance of what really happens when a child isundressed and weighed at a clinic has been lost to pander to the desireto cut costs," she said.