Momentum grows for more health visitors and school nurses to be
employed
28th October 2009
The momentum for more health visitors and school nurses to be
employed – highlighted again this week by two senior cabinet
ministers – has been welcomed by Unite, the largest union in the
country.
Both health secretary, Andy Burnham, and children, schools and
families secretary, Ed Balls reinforced their support for the
preventative role of community services at the pre-launch of the
5-19 Healthy Child Programme.
Karen Reay, Unite national officer for health, said: ‘'Health
visitors and school nurses will be reassured that the tide is now
set for their contribution to the public health of the population
to be fully recognised after years in the wilderness.
"Andy Burnham and Ed Balls are making it clear that they fully
understand the importance of investing early for future health
gains, and that health visitor and school nursing services need a
big injection of resources.
"The message to strategic health authorities and primary care
trust commissioners is stark - more health visitors and
school nurses need to be employed, even at a time of financial
restraint."
Earlier this month, both ministers spelt out their commitment to
community nursing when they addressed the Unite/Community
Practitioners’ and Health Visitors’ Association annual
conference in Southport.
ENDS
NOTES TO NEWS EDITORS:
For further information, please ring:
Karen Reay, national officer, health 07798 531 004 or Shaun
Noble, communications officer (health sector) 020 7420 8951 or
07768 693 940
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