Tory family policy - tiny update from David Willetts re. health visitors

[edam]

Remember the MN 'meet the Tories' TV thingy? Discussing tax breaks for marriage?

Anyway, we didn't really get to discuss their grand plans for 2,000 more health visitors. I was dying to say 'um, if you'd ever read any of the MN threads about mad HVs you might want to invest in some continuing professional development for the ones you have first'. (Through work I know HVs that tell me they get very little funding or time for ongoing training and their professional organisation agrees.)

So I emailed him afterwards. And he's replied (finally) so I thought I'd post his words just in case anyone is bored enough or anorak-y enough to care...

"You are quite right about the training of Health Visitors. This is something we are looking at as part of our policy. But I don't think that it would be right to give training priority over employing [more people].

"The fact is the number of Health Visitors has declined by 2,000 over the past few years and there are some local authority areas now where Health Visitors are no longer functioning in the way they have done and coverage is minimal. So it is very important that we increase numbers but it certainly has to go hand in hand with better training."

[JustineMumsnet]

thanks Edam.

[Drooper]

Interesting...

I think we should be more vocal with PCT'S and those comissioning the HV service. That way it can be more family led, than just led by what seems a good idea at the time.

Need to vote with our feet more and complain more about inappropriate advice and 'care'- it's the only way things will change.

Good HV's are worth their weight in gold, but the bad ones need telling.

[edam]

s'OK Justine, was just sticking my oar in as usual!

Drooper, exactly, the HV I had when ds was a baby was wonderful, went way beyond the call of duty and all that. (If anyone lives in Battersea and knows Maisie, do pass on my thanks!) But when I moved house, I met a few with some very odd ideas indeed.