24th October 2017
New programme reinforces the importance of the profession in the face of government cuts
The vital role that health visitors play in children’s health outcomes has been reinforced by a news-style report programme.
The programme was developed by the Institute of Health Visiting (iHV) in collaboration with a partnership between the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) and ITN Productions.
It details the breadth of challenges health visitors respond to and the skill required to do so. These include supporting families facing issues ranging from poverty and housing to domestic violence and postnatal depression. Health visitors’ key role is to ensure every child receives the best possible start in life.
Introduced by national newsreader, Natasha Kaplinsky, the programme forms part of ‘The Public’s Health Across The Life Course’ series, coordinated by the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) and produced by ITN Productions. The series brings to life the journey from cradle to grave and the key public health professionals who make a difference in that period.
The iHV’s programme’s release comes at a crucial time. Health visiting numbers have fallen significantly in England in the last two years, as a result of cuts to public health budgets. This has triggered a restructuring of children’s services by local authorities.
iHV’s executive director, Dr Cheryll Adams CBE, said:
“Through making this programme, we want to raise awareness of the consequences of the on-going cuts to health visitor numbers in England – and the impact on children and families. Health visitors are a critical cog in each child’s journey to adulthood and work to improve public health outcomes for all children, helping to reduce health inequalities across the UK.
“The iHV was delighted to work with the Royal Society of Public Health and ITN Productions partnership to produce such an important programme which visually demonstrates the vital role and impact of health visitors.”
She added:
“Children’s needs seem to have become invisible among the many competing demands being made on the government and the NHS. We want ministers and commissioners to understand that we cannot afford not to invest in our children’s health. They are our future!
“I want to thank Whittington Health and Haringey Children’s Community Service for their support in making this film and all the health visitors and parents who made it possible.”
—-ENDS —-
For more information, please contact: Julie Cooper on 07508 344716 or [email protected]
Notes to editors
About the Institute of Health Visiting (iHV)
- The Institute of Health Visiting is a UK Centre of Excellence supporting the development of universally high-quality health visiting practice. It was launched on 28 November 2012 to promote excellence in health visiting practice to benefit all children, families and communities.
- The aim for the iHV is to raise standards in health visiting practice, so improving public health outcomes for all children, families and communities.
- For more information go to ihv.org.uk
- Follow the Institute of Health Visiting on Twitter @iHealthVisiting and Facebook
- https://www.facebook.com/iHealthVisiting
About ‘The Public’s Health Across The Life Course’ programme
Working in partnership, RSPH and ITN Productions have produced this news and current affairs-style programme to explore how different issues and events impact on health at different stages of our lives, from early years to later life, and the tailored interventions taking place to address them across the UK today.
The programme combines key figures and reports with editorial profiles of some of the leading organisations aiming to improve the public’s health. It brings to life the journey from cradle to grave to find out about the projects and people who are making a difference. The programme looks at how health professionals, local and national government, the voluntary and community sector and communities are working to achieve a healthier nation.
About the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH)
RSPH is an independent health education charity and the world’s longest-established public health body. Our vision is that everyone should have the opportunity to optimise their health and wellbeing.
For more information visit: https://www.rsph.org.uk
About ITN Productions
ITN Productions is ITN’s bespoke production hub producing creative and commercially valuable content for the business, commercial, broadcast and digital sectors. Industry News forms part of this offering and is a communications tool for leading industry bodies and national associations produced in a broadcast news programme format, including interviews, news items and sponsored editorial profiles.
For more information visit: http://www.itnproductions.co.uk
