The latest figures from the NHS Information Service show that despite the Government’s pledge to recruit thousands more health visitors, their number is falling in many parts of England, particularly in London and East of England.
Unite, which includes the Community and Health Visitors Association, said that the figures – which were analysed by Children & Young People Now - show that seven out of ten strategic health authorities in England reported a decline in the number of health visitors over the past year.
The number of health visitors has dropped by 213 to 7,879.
The analysis found that London has lost 77 health visitor posts, the East of England 76, the South West 64, the North West 63, South Central 27, the West Midlands 20 and the South East Coast 12.
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