NHS workforce figures issued last week showed the number of full-timeequivalent health visitors dropped to 9,807 in 2005. This is fewer thanthe previous low of 9,987 recorded in 1995. Health workers' union Amicussaid the fall could result in a health visitor crisis.
Gail Cartmail, the union's head of health, said: "In the worst casescenario this could mean the minimum standard becoming the maximumstandard. Some employers are now questioning the universality of thefirst home visit and these visits are a real need. There's also a hugeamount of work we want to support such as the expansion of Sure Startbut that expansion cannot take place without commensurate expansion inthe number of health visitors."
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