The FNP pilots were launched in 2007 and are currently operating in 55 local authority areas. They provide intensive home visits for young first-time parents, working with them from early pregnancy until the child's first birthday. The programme was brought over from the United States, where it is known as the Nurse-Family Partnership Program.
Mr Lansley said that so far 6,000 families have benefited from the programme and that the Government is committed to doubling that number by 2015.
The Unite trade union welcomed the expansion, but warned that some local authority pilot areas are decommissioning the FNP programme because of financial pressures.
NHS Stockport has confirmed that it is planning to cut the FNP programme from January 2011, saying that it costs more than the normal health visiting service and that there is no UK evidence to suggest that the service produces any additional health benefits.
A Department of Health spokesperson could not confirm whether the extra 4,200 health visitors the Government plans to recruit (News, 28 October) will be responsible for delivering the expansion to the FNP programme.
The first two evaluations of the pilot, which costs £3,000 per family per year, have found that the parents who are involved in the scheme are reducing smoking in pregnancy and are more likely to breastfeed, have aspirations for the future and take up employment and education opportunities, and are more confident at looking after their children.
Mr Lansley said, 'We know that early intervention, as provided by the Family Nurse Partnership programme, can help young parents to look after their children better, and can help break inter-generational patterns of disadvantage. And it can improve the health and well-being of the parents themselves. The evidence base for expanding this programme is clear. That's why I want to see the numbers of families who get this intensive support to double by 2015.
'This, together with our plans to put 4,200 new health visitors into the workforce, will ensure that more and more young families, particularly those living in disadvantaged areas, get the help they need.'