7th December 2015
The results from the Institute of Health Visiting’s State of Health Visiting Survey 2015 to find out today’s demands on health visitors will be shared with key figures from the world of health visiting and guests at the Institute’s third iHV annual celebration event being held in London on 7 December 2015.
68% of health visitors have seen an increase in postnatal depression over the last two years. 1 in 4 health visitors cannot provide every family with a postnatal mental health (PMH) assessment at 6-8 weeks, and 3 in 4 cannot at 3-4 months as recommended by the government according to the new survey findings announced by the Institute of Health Visiting (iHV) and published in their annual report on Monday 7 December. Although these figures have improved from previous years due to the investment in health visiting by the government, they make clear the service remains under resourced locally to implement this important area of public health.
Dr Cheryll Adams, Director of the Institute of Health Visiting, said: “The survey feedback is vital in highlighting what is needed to support children, families and communities. This is the health visitors’ opportunity to let the Institute know how things are going in their practice, their needs, their challenges and how the Institute can help them.”
Health visitors are a barometer for social change – they experience increasing demands for their services as families struggle in difficult times. The 2015 survey findings show that in addition to the 68% of health visitors seeing an increase in postnatal depression over the last 2 years, 81% have seen an increase in domestic violence and 69% an increase in poverty over the 2 years (although a slight fall on the 2014 figures).
The Institute has responded to previous surveys by supporting many of their members to become local leaders in their communities, particularly as Fellows, Champions and Experts. The iHV has rolled out iHV training in perinatal and infant mental health, domestic violence and abuse, and safeguarding over the last 2 years.
The annual report also shares that the Institute has trained a total of 573 perinatal mental health champions who are driving service improvement in the quality of contacts for perinatal mental health as well as cascading the training.
Dr Adams said: “This project has now delivered PMH training to over 10,000 health visitors and others across England – an amazing achievement. However, commissioners must now make sure that health visitors have the time to provide PMH assessments at 6-8 weeks and again at 3-4 months if the training is to have the impact it should.”
To mark the third annual celebration, the Institute is announcing the launch of its new website – providing many new materials in its Centre of Excellence as well as discussion forums for members.
Following many requests from other professionals who work with health visitors the Institute is also announcing its new ‘Friends’ membership.
Dr Adams commented: “The new Friends scheme will not change the core purpose of the Institute, but it will give others access to the Institute’s excellent resources so that the iHV has a greater impact in improving children’s lives.”
—-ENDS —-
For more information please contact: Julie Cooper on 07508 344716 or [email protected]
Photo caption: Dr Cheryll Adams, Executive Director of the Institute of Health Visiting
Notes to editors
State of Health Visiting Survey 2015
- 1413 members of the Institute of Health Visiting completed the survey in November 2015
Institute of Health Visiting Annual Report
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
