Government 'at risk of missing health visitor target', warns MP

27 April 2011 1 min read Janaki Mahadevan Early Years Health

The government is already at risk of missing its target to recruit an extra 4,200 health visitors, a Labour MP has warned after figures released in parliament showed fewer than 700 people undertook health visitor training in 2010/11.

Warrington MP Helen Jones asked how many health visitors were in post in May 2010 and December 2010 and also how many health visitors were in training in each region.

In the South East Coast strategic health authority, there were 35 recorded trainees and 552 professionals in post in December last year, despite the government setting a target of 984 health visitors by 2015.

In response, public health minister Anne Milton revealed that by December last year there were 8,125 health visitors in post and 675 trainees.

Speaking to CYP Now, Jones said this figure would only cover professionals who are due to retire or leave the profession.

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