A UK centre of excellence, supporting the development of universally high-quality health visiting practice.

London, UK
🌟We’re delighted to have been working with @KensingtonRoyal & @Earlychildhood to shine a light on the vital work of #HealthVisitors🌟 Watch this fab film released today which captures The Princess of Wales’ shadowing visits – a g8 week for #healthvisiting bit.ly/3XibcKM
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Today, the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood announced a new partnership study with iHV and led by Prof Jane Barlow at Uni of Oxford to support health visitors’ work with families to promote infant wellbeing & social development. bit.ly/3qLMkPh #HealthVisiting
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Sending our very best wishes from all of us @iHealthVisiting to HRH The Princess of Wales @KensingtonRoyal for a full recovery - your health and your family are your priority and we support you in your difficult decisions at this time. Get well soon 💕
A message from Catherine, The Princess of Wales
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A fabulous day-thank you so much @KensingtonRoyal for shining a spotlight on the vital role of health visitors, often hidden behind front doors. Today’s visit & the testimonies of these families at the drop in clinic shows what the service means to them & the difference it makes
Lovely chatting with the wonderful health visitors and mums playing a part in creating a nurturing environment for so many children and parents at the Riversley Park Children's Centre in Nuneaton. Health Visitors are such an important support for new parents from pregnancy through to children starting school.
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Our keynote for this evening's #iHVAnnual Event is @DrSMcMullen from The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood @Earlychildhood who gives an update on the #ShapingUs campaign
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An Infographic for families on nurturing children’s mental health.
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We are very much looking forward to the next steps for @KensingtonRoyal @Earlychildhood Great to see this fabulous group of experts on the advisory panel⭐️this is good news for babies, children & families ⭐️
An insightful first meeting with our @Earlychildhood Advisory Group, discussing a shared passion for the extraordinary impact of the first five years of life and its role in shaping us. Very exciting things ahead…!
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Replying to @KensingtonRoyal
Wonderful to hear that @KensingtonRoyal is announced as Patron of @MMHAlliance today. Such a strong supporter of families, women and babies. This is good news for everyone working in this sector 🌟
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iHV is delighted to share the positive findings from their feasibility study into the use of the Alarm Distress Baby Scale (ADBB) in routine #HealthVisiting practice in England, funded by The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood @Earlychildhood buff.ly/4cmjiZP
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We are delighted that our Executive Director @Alison_Morton2 met with @KensingtonRoyal today to discuss health visiting & IMH. We thank HRH for her time & support for the earliest years of life & for her interest in the work of health visitors 🌟
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iHV welcomes early years survey findings unveiled today by The Duchess of Cambridge - the biggest ever study on the #EarlyYears. The #5BigInsights reveal what the UK thinks about Early Years bit.ly/3mdrDEO @KensingtonRoyal #HealthVisiting
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Representing health visiting & its vital work supporting millions of families every year, health visitors from Warwickshire @CWPT_NHS & @iHealthVisiting @Alison_Morton2 attended @Earlychildhood @KensingtonRoyal #TogetherAtChristmas Carol service⭐️🎄⭐️watch it on @ITV tonight 👇
Our earliest years are so crucial, so it’s great to give a festive thank you to those who are working so hard to help the youngest members of our society to flourish. A special carol service, "Together at Christmas", airs on Christmas Eve! 📺 @itv 🕣 7.45pm (GMT) #ShapingUs
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We are delighted to warmly welcome today’s launch of the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood by The Duchess of Cambridge. @KensingtonRoyal Read more about it and what our Executive Director, @Alison_Morton2 had to say: bit.ly/3q5HAj0 #BigChangeStartsSmall
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Redeployed health visitors tell us they are not needed, but the families they left behind really need them now @DHSCgovuk. No one knew how this would work out but it’s time for HVs to get back to the job they are trained for @Jochurchill4 @MattHancock
Today @Helen_Whately revealed that @DHSCgovuk DOES NOT have data on health visitor redeployment. How can government create a "comprehensive lockdown exist plan" when it doesn't know whats going on in vital services? @iHealthVisiting @Unite_CPHVA @denis_campbell
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Dr Cheryll Adams was presented with her CBE at Buckingham Palace this morning.
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iHV Founding Director @CheryllMa retires after 40 years in #HealthVisiting profession. Since launching in 2012, the Institute has grown into a thriving academic body. We wish her well in her retirement. bit.ly/3wcoZ7K
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iHV is delighted to launch new film capturing how #HealthVisitors support families through the unexpected twists and turns of early parenthood. Parenting is hard and nothing completely prepares you for it. bit.ly/3iMKEkA #HealthVisitorsMatter #CelebratingHealthVisiting
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A Very Happy New Year to health visitors everywhere. Thank you for all you have done in 2020 and will continue to do for all babies, children and families supporting them to lead happy, healthy lives in 2021 and beyond. @CheryllMa @Alison_Morton2 @Pamelajgoldberg 👏👏
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Just landed - hot off the press. @iHealthVisiting HV State of health visiting survey. Look out for it- being launched on 1st December 2021. Thank you to the 1,291 practitioners who shared their experiences
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It is with great sadness that we share news of the death of a dear colleague, friend and Fellow of the Institute of Health Visiting – Judith Nembhard bit.ly/3eeO2x7 #iHVFellows #HealthVisiting #HealthVisitor @WalsallHcareNHS @HealthWalsall
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So good to hear @CNOEngland flagging up that pregnant mums must still contact their midwives with any concerns and attend appointments. Likewise infants and children should still be taken for immunisation appointments. These appointments really matter @MidwivesRCM @HelenEBedford
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iHV CEO @Alison_Morton2 joins today's #ShapingUs Symposium 2023 hosted by HRH The Princess of Wales and @Earlychildhood . It brings together cross-disciplinary leaders, child and adult specialists in order to build resilience for the future. bit.ly/47wfuSv
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BBC News - Duchess of Cambridge backs BBC's Tiny Happy People scheme to help children bbc.co.uk/news/uk-53391501 Fabulous programme for #parents We are proud to be part of it. If you need parenting help do contact your #healthvisitor
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We’ve just had confirmation that @itvnews will be running an extended news item on the State of Health Visiting in England at 6pm this evening in the following areas @itvmeridian @itvanglia @ITVCentral @itvwestcountry @itvcalendar @itvtynetees Huge thanks to everyone involved ⭐️
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Is a secondary pandemic on its way? Read blog by @CheryllMA. We call on Govt and HV employers to act now to do all they can to quell #safeguarding storm for children and families that will already be affecting so many infants and children bit.ly/39IkV2l #HealthVisiting
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iHV delighted to publish ‘Health Visiting in England: A Vision for the Future’, their evidence-based blue print to rebuild #healthvisiting services. #FutureofHV #TimetoAct #BabiesMatter It's time to improve outcomes for children! bit.ly/3227kA3
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Remember to promote the 4-5-6 model of Health Visiting: 4 service levels, 5 mandated elements and 6 high impact areas
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NEWSFLASH – restoration of community health services for children and young people, inc reinstatement of HV 6-8 week review, removal of wording around redeployment of HVs, additional safeguards to protect vulnerable children bit.ly/3cwQMVo #HealthVisiting
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iHV launches professional advice docs to support best practice in delivering the Healthy Child Programme during the #COVID19 pandemic - Antenatal Contact - New Birth Visit - Virtual Contacts by HVs - Working with Vulnerable Families bit.ly/2wza6Cu #HealthVisiting
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Dad's involvement with baby early on associated with boost in mental development imperial.ac.uk/news/179268/d…
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We are delighted to share a new short film to highlight the value and breadth of the role of the #HealthVisitor in relation to family #MentalHealth and wellbeing outcomes, created together with @SolentNHSTrust as part of @2SeasPATH project bit.ly/3yOJ4Dg #HealthVisiting
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Not sure what health visitors do? They are a vital infrastructure of support for the early years. Working with families who go to Family Hubs but most importantly reaching out to those who don’t. @RishiSunak @andrealeadsom #HealthVisitors #HealthVisiting
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A baby’s brain can form 1,000 new connections every second. #EarlyMomentsMatter so make each second count! uni.cf/2fgDQeA
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Paediatricians come out in support of health visitors as RCPCH comments on UCL survey report: The impacts of COVID-19 on Health Visiting in England bit.ly/30XGl9w
Important research from @uclnews about Health Visitor case loads. Many were redeployed during COVID-19. All are over stretched. Health Visitors are vital to child health and families. They need to be resourced and supported. @CheryllMa ucl.ac.uk/news/2020/jul/vuln…
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Hot off the press is this NHS Guidance – COVID-19 Prioritisation within Community Health Services – which also includes some guidance for #HealthVisiting services. This will be updated with further details next week - we'll keep you posted. bit.ly/2WxQo4u
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Sure Start programme saved the NHS millions of pounds, study finds theguardian.com/society/2019…
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Busting the baby brain myth: Why motherhood makes minds sharper Forget the idea that having a baby will turn your mind to mush – there’s growing evidence that it could prime your brain for empathy, reasoning and judgement. newscientist.com/article/mg2…
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iHV today publishes findings from its annual survey of #HealthVisitors in #England. The findings lay bare the damage that the pandemic has had on families, with the youngest and most vulnerable in our society suffering the most bit.ly/3my8RXT #HealthVisiting
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Survey confirms babies, young children and families’ needs are increasing in the postcode lottery of support. Findings from iHV annual survey captures experiences of frontline #HealthVisiting practitioners working with families across UK in wake of C-19 bit.ly/3Dg5LAs
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The Office for Product Safety and Standards @OfficeforSandS has issued an Urgent Safety Alert for baby self-feeding pillows and is urging the public to stop using them immediately and dispose of them safely. bit.ly/3uiOBA6
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We need to work together to prepare for this Kenny. We also need to get health visitors back to their front line as quickly as possible now to reduce these impacts.
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iHV welcomes #BabiesInLockdown report which "lays bare just how challenging it has been for many parents during #lockdown. It was distressing to read their stories...we now need to build back better for infants and their families" bit.ly/3foYwtW #HealthVisiting
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#MaternalMentalHealthAwarenessWeek You are not alone, it's not your fault, you will get better. If you are struggling with how you are feeling - reach out- your #HealthVisitor is here for you bit.ly/3E6KZ7m #MaternalMHmatters #SmashingTheStigma #HealthVisiting
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We need more health visitors- supporting parental health literacy to manage minor illness is the bread & butter of HVs. Cuts have consequences. Parents are seeking help as they are worried & can’t get the support they need elsewhere. Need to join the dots of whole system impact
Replying to @Damian_Roland
2) Highlight these resources to parents & encourage them to review before their child becomes ill. @Health_2gether or 111.nhs.uk/ Please share our @OperationOuch series with @DoctorChrisVT and @xandvt what0-18.nhs.uk/national/ope… piped.video/watch?v=d_uQz2_4…
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So many important points re the critical role of the HV being brought out from the Parliamentary debate on the cuts to the HV profession today. Thank you so much @timloughton for calling it. Let’s hope this is finally a turning point. Please take an hour to listen @MattHancock
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The complicated world of babies is made a little bit simpler by BBC’s #TinyHappyPeople. To find more helpful videos for parents, head over to their website: bit.ly/tinyhappypeoplefacts #HealthVisiting
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Plans for HV redeployment must risk assess carefully. There has never been so many potentially vulnerable children and families needing their support, many are hidden behind closed doors. @NHSEngland @NHSsafeguarding @VivJBennett @CNOEngland @ADPHUK @LGAWellbeing
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Happy #IWD2021 to all the amazing health visitors & members of HV teams. Let’s celebrate this specialist highly skilled workforce, making a difference to babies, young children & their families. Also huge thanks to male supporters &HVs who champion & enable women to achieve ⭐️👏
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We want to thank all the families, health visitors & everyone behind the scenes that made this film possible - it has been many months in the planning & we’re delighted to see it launched. Special thanks to @Earlychildhood @NHSHomerton @nhsswft @georginamayes77 @hildabeauchamp 🎉
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Breaking news: Labour party commits to train 5,000 new health visitors. iHV is delighted by today’s commitment by @UKLabour to rebuild the #HealthVisiting service by training 5,000 new #HealthVisitors bit.ly/3xVmw3P
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Thank goodness for the children of Birmingham @VivJBennett @WendyJNicholson
Replying to @salhogg
Hi I am pleased to say Birmingham health visiting service is increasing 34 staff are being redeployed back in from various services within the trust. Health visiting in Birmingham considered a critical to life service at the moment.
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@timloughton⁩ ‘Health visitors are a vital emergency service’. It is a false economy not to focus on the first years with spiralling costs of late intervention. Thanks @iHealthVisiting⁩ for evidence for debate 👏
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Calling HVs - Pls can you tweet or DM us about how you are positively supporting families every day and use the hashtag #HVsupport so we can gather your feedback for government Thank you #HealthVisiting
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Gr8 new iHV resource for parents – Coping with a crying baby during the COVID-19 pandemic - pls share bit.ly/2Xy69ZM #HealthVisiting #Crying
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New publication – iHV COVID-19 professional advice to support best practice: Family Perinatal Mental Health - developed in partnership with @PHE_uk bit.ly/343f86A #HealthVisiting #Covid19UK #PMH #PerinatalMentalHealth
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Congratulations to everyone involved in developing the NHS England » A good practice guide to support implementation of trauma-informed care in the perinatal period england.nhs.uk/publication/a…
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New data on the #HealthVisiting workforce figures published yesterday show that HV numbers in England have reached an all-time low. We urgently need a HV workforce plan, and this cannot wait any longer. bit.ly/3KnrOKw
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Did you see @Alison_Morton2 on @BBCNews ? Flying the flag for babies, young children & families. Welcoming @andrealeadsom & @RishiSunak investment in the #First1001Days & Family Hubs. But holding out for #SpendingReview21 for promised investment in #healthvisiting
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Very clear message supported by @iHealthVisiting Covid vaccine is safe in pregnancy & saves lives. Make every contact count- every pregnancy counts 👇@RCObsGyn @MidwivesRCM
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Calling all HVs - we are supporting and sharing @MarcusRashford ’s call to signpost as many people as possible to the Government’s #HealthyStart Scheme to #EndChildFoodPoverty Read his letter to iHV & #HealthVisitors here: bit.ly/3y7Zchr #HealthVisiting
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iHV delighted to announce that our #MentalHealth Lead, @melita_walker , has been nominated for, and accepted, the role of President of the United Kingdom and Ireland Marcé Society (UKIMS) @TheMarceSociety bit.ly/3guOlpJ #HealthVisiting
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iHV launches two new infographics setting out “Who are #HealthVisitors and what do they do?” and “It’s time to invest in #HealthVisiting because…”. bit.ly/3uHe31j #TurnOffTheTaps #InvestInHealthVisiting @andrealeadsom @RishiSunak @sajidjavid
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Read letter - iHV is pleased and relieved that the Chief Nurses and LGA have supported our campaign for health visitors not to be redeployed again, infants and their families have never needed them more than they do at the moment. bit.ly/3nuphT0 #HealthVisiting
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Our survey findings paint a bleak picture. HVs see first-hand the realities that families with babies and young children in the UK are facing - these pose risks to the health and wellbeing of babies and young children bit.ly/3Wqynk4 #HealthVisitorsMatter #HealthVisit
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Congratulations @scotgov ⭐️ Your public health policy & universal HV pathway has really paid off. ⬆️breastfeeding rates ⬆️early identification of babies & children with extra needs/ SEND, supporting early intervention; ⬇️A&E attendance in children 0-4 years ⬆️parent satisfaction
Look at this! Govt investment and commitment really pays off! Infant and maternal health matter! Pls note @Keir_Starmer @wesstreeting @DrRosena @PutneyFleur @Geoff_Filkin
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Read Kirsty’s story, working as a Specialist Health Visitor for Homeless Families in Camden on our new Voices Blog: bit.ly/3bmBoNx We didn’t stop, we won’t stop! #HealthVisiting
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Infant Mental Health matters: How to build a happy brain? ifwip.org/2019/02/20/infant-…
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They were all thrilled to meet you @KensingtonRoyal Thank you for all that you are doing to shine a spotlight on the earliest years of life, the social & emotional development of babies & the vital work of health visitors⭐️ It really does mean a lot to HVs⭐️
It was lovely to meet with health visitors taking part in a Centre-funded field study, which aims to support the profession to promote infant wellbeing and social and emotional development. #ShapingUs
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In #IMHAW2020 go to our "Getting to know your baby" webpage to become familiar with what your baby is like and also download our "Baby watching: Making sense of your baby leaflet" - gr8 for getting to know your baby's sleep and wake states bit.ly/2Uzgwdv #HealthVisiting
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Next week is maternal mental health week and the importance of the HV role in supporting mums will get good profile. Follow the iHV. Lots of interesting blogs and more.
As a health visitor myself i really feel that we are not valued as a profession and seen as the less important nurses. What people tend to forget is that preventing ill health saves the nhs money and actually saves lives. We never get a mention in the media or government.
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Health visitors have gone “above & beyond” supporting families during C-19. But, the fact that the service has been significantly depleted in recent years cannot be ignored- it urgently needs investment & strengthening to meet rising levels of need now & in the foreseeable future
Replying to @iHealthVisiting
The sad thing is, there is such negative press that there is no support. the message that we are here to help is not getting out there. We just aren’t shouting loud enough! We as HVs know we do a good job, but we are dwindling in numbers and no one sings our praises
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New iHV #HealthVisiting during COVID-19 response paper. We hope this publication on redeployment and support for HVs will be helpful. It is based on the information you recently told us you needed. Also to offer some places to find personal support bit.ly/2xGatLZ
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The Duchess of Cambridge will host a roundtable at the Royal Institution today to mark the release of new research from The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood. bit.ly/3mSp5Od #HealthVisiting #EarlyChildhood
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No surprise to health visitors who are on frontline really struggling to give families the help they need to ensure their babies have a healthy future. The blue print for our future health and well-being starts in utero. First 1001 days are crucial. @iHealthVisiting @MattHancock
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Replying to @MattHancock
Maybe some more health visitors first? @MattHancock
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Urgent investment needed to halt decline in children's health visitors local.gov.uk/about/news/urge…
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We couldn’t agree more but sadly many still don’t understand the health visiting role or the additional needs of young families at such a time.
We were thinking the other day about #redeployment and were uncertain why Specialist CommunityPublic HealthNurses #SCPHN #Healthvisitors have been moved when we gave a public health emergency odd don’t you think @iHealthVisiting
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This film by @KensingtonRoyal is a must-see for all policy makers -the benefits of an effective health visiting service are seen across @DHSCgovuk & @educationgovuk @luhc @SteveBarclay @andrealeadsom @wesstreeting @Keir_Starmer @first1001days @RCPCHtweets @LGAWellbeing
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Better tell them about the rise in safeguarding issues, more babies going into care, more perinatal mental health issues, more domestic abuse, immunisations being missed - if ever a gold star health visiting service was needed by families its now @MattHancock @VivJBennett
I’m so scared, we won’t be visiting families after lockdown, because management say it’s saving money to be based at home. How shortsighted is it, that children and families need Health Visitors more then ever
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Yesterday six special people, nominated by @iHealthVisiting, were recognised for their incredible support for babies, children and families through their work as #HealthVisitors and their support for #HealthVisiting 💜 📰 Read more here: buff.ly/3lKIeBF
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Together with other members of the @First1001Days Movement, we call on @MattHancock not to forget about the important role of Public Health England in giving babies the best start in life. Read our statement here bit.ly/2Fs3J7P
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Fabulous idea @MattHancock investing in health visitors & school nurses will provide an important part of the solution to ++government priorities for children & families. Going upstream- prevention is kinder & cheaper than cure, this is not hypothetical- there is ++evidence
‘..he wanted a health system where incentives were not for hospitals “to get as many thro their doors as possible” but rather “to prevent people ending up in expensive sec care in the first place” Yup that’ll be School nursing then! ⁦@MattHancocklgcplus.com/services/health-…
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Well said @BWCHBoss 👏Standing with all the nurses, doctors, health visitors, school nurses & all health professionals that have worked tirelessly to care for those with COVID as well as managing all the secondary impacts. #gohigh
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New @DSPI_Oxford study recommends commissioning of Specialist #HealthVisitors in Perinatal and Infant Mental Health throughout the UK to tackle growing social cost issue bit.ly/32kKvwW #SpHVPIMH #HealthVisiting #PerinatalMentalHealth #InfantMentalHealth #PIMH
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Leadership of the Institute will change in the New Year - @CheryllMa will step back as Executive Director and @Alison_Morton2 will step up as Acting Executive Director bit.ly/3iRYqgY #HealthVisiting
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New report by @first1001days and iHV reveals worrying new stats about babies & young children born or growing up through the pandemic: ⬆️ risk of harm, delayed social skills, poor parental mental health. bit.ly/3i6jiW2 #CastingLongShadows #BabyBlindSpot
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This is excellent news for babies, children & families, as well as a powerful national precedent for health visiting & school nursing. Huge thanks to all our partners who challenged these cuts ⭐️👏Final recommendations-Hampshire County Council’s PH budget hants.gov.uk/News/20211012pu…
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iHV wins first prize in International #PerinatalMentalHealth Education Awards for #iHVPIMHChampions training bit.ly/2MniYSl - we are thrilled! @TheMarceSociety #WhiteSwanFoundation @mentalhealthind #PMH
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In case you missed it- health visitors across the country are united in their thanks to @sarahjolney1 for sponsoring the debate on Tuesday & calling for investment in health visiting. Can’t be said clearer than this👇👏
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So true and too often taken for granted so this is a fabulous acknowledgment. Health Visitors do change lives 😊👏👏
How fantastic is this! One of our amazing health visitors having such a positive impact on a family, they gave her this! Health Visiting is a profession not everyone knows about, but once experienced you never forget how important they are in supporting children and families
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Very interesting. Health Visitors are also only on B6 in England despite matching for B7. They have a post registration qualification, often at Masters level, and massive autonomy as well as safeguarding responsilities.
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iHV publishes Career Pathway for Health Visiting. Designed as a resource for workforce planning, it includes different job roles contributing to #HealthVisiting provision and maps these against levels of practice. bit.ly/47lT4Uh #CareerPathway
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Read our Position Statement on health visiting and the NHS in the next ten years. gallery.mailchimp.com/6d0ffa…
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Leading paediatricians speak about ⬆️families turning to A&E for advice & support for issues that would previously have been managed by health visitors. 40% ⬇️in the number of health visitors impacts the whole system & will be felt by health, education & social care👇@HSJnews
Child health checks failed to recover after covid, figures show ift.tt/NXSE73V
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