Legal changes threaten health visitors
Shafik Meghji
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Urgent talks with ministers are needed to protect the future of the health visiting profession, union leaders have warned.
The government has proposed complex changes to regulatory body the Nursing and Midwifery Council, which could in effect abolish the legal status of health visitors.
Unite/Community Practitioners' and Health Visitors Association acting lead professional officer Cherryl Adams said: "Without the legal status of health visitors being protected, the door will be opened further for other less-qualified staff to take on these responsibilities.
"This could mean that even more mothers with postnatal depression won't receive the support they deserve, families won't be helped through periods of crises and more children could become victims of family dysfunction."
Unite/Community Practitioners' and Health Visitors Association acting lead professional officer Cherryl Adams said: "Without the legal status of health visitors being protected, the door will be opened further for other less-qualified staff to take on these responsibilities.
"This could mean that even more mothers with postnatal depression won't receive the support they deserve, families won't be helped through periods of crises and more children could become victims of family dysfunction."
