Health visiting: lockdown stories may prompt change

Our public health capabilities have been tested to the limit during COVID-19. In particular, the value of an effective health visiting service is being recognised, with families speaking out on social media about the effects on them and their children when they miss out on this vital support. Frustrated parents have criticised health visitors for a lack of face-to-face contact, with suggestions that they have been ‘allowed to bow out’ during the pandemic. Some stories on social media are heartbreaking.

Health visiting in England: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This focused review of evidence considers the impact of the pandemic in 2020 on families with children under 5 years in England, and the health visiting (HV) service that supports them. . Data were drawn from national surveys of health visitors (HVs) and parents, a freedom of information request of employers, published research, and national data. Framework analysis and triangulation, using the Key Elements of an effective HV service, were used to categorize the key findings. The findings from the review indicate that the impacts of the pandemic were wide-ranging and disproportionately affected the most disadvantaged families, increasing demand for HV support. HVs' ability to respond was compromised due to national policy decisions to partially stop the service and variations in local implementation including the redeployment of HVs, pre-existing workforce capacity issues, and the effectiveness of innovations to identify and support vulnerable families. The pandemic exacerbated factors that can lead to poorer outcomes for families. Key learning from the pandemic response, including the need to prioritize the HV service, must be acted upon to reduce ongoing impacts now and ensure that the service is equipped for future emergencies.

Heartbreaking lockdown stories make a powerful case for health visiting

Our public health capabilities have been tested to the limit during COVID-19. In particular, the value of an effective health visiting service is being recognised, with families speaking out on social media about the effects on them and their children when they miss out on this vital support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Primary Health Care is the property of RNCi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Who is providing a safety net for babies and young children?

With many health visitors in England redeployed during the early weeks of the pandemic, Alison Morton considers the consequences for children and families, as well as the health visitors intended to support them