Union warning on health visitor cuts

The Unite union, which represents health visitors, is calling for a meeting with the head of Waltham Forest Primary Care Trust (PCT) over a 40 per cent reduction in health visitors in the last eight years.

Unite fears children are being put at risk because families may no longer be receiving home visits from health visitors and they could be missing out on vital care.

Professional officer for Unite Dave Munday said: "When we are speaking to members in the trust they are reporting that because they are having a reduction in the amount of home visits, families are coming to baby clinics to get advice.

"In a normal two hour clinic they are getting between 60 and 70 families, which suggests they get 1.7 minutes each."

He believes this is not enough time to diagnose conditions such as postnatal depression or pick up on issues like domestic violence.

The union wants to meet with PCT chief executive Sally Gorham to get her to acknowledge their concerns.

Norma Dudley, Unite representative in Waltham Forest, said they do not believe they can practise safely because of the drop in health visitor numbers.

Liz Delauney, director of clinical and business support at the PCT, said: "Our priority is the safety and welfare of children and families in Waltham Forest.

"The role of the health visitor has been under review locally and nationally and the PCT has been working with staff, including the unions for two years to look at service redesign."