A survey by the Institute of Health Visiting has found an increase in complex needs among families, alongside a severe shortage of health visitors and significant disparities in service provision.
The survey revealed that 84 per cent of practitioners reported demand for health visiting support had increased over the past 12 months. At the same time, the workforce has not kept pace with the increasing needs, and practitioners reported a decrease in health visitor numbers.
Cllr David Fothergill, Chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board, said: “The findings highlight the pressing need for long-term investment in health visiting services, to address stark disparities and deliver high-quality, personalised care for families.
“Health visitors are a safety-critical workforce, essential to improving children’s health and development.
“Committing to an ambitious plan to increase the number of health visitors, and resourcing these services properly, will ensure that all families can access support, reducing pressures on the NHS and improving outcomes for children and families.
“Failing to act is a false economy.”