We are delighted to release our latest Annual Report – a snapshot of all the amazing work that has been achieved by the iHV over the past year. These achievements are only possible thanks to the dedication and expertise of health visitors and their teams, as well as the unwavering support of our partners, stakeholders, trustees and the highly-skilled iHV team. Together, we are building a stronger foundation for public health and health visiting in the earliest years – focused on our collective vision to improve health and end inequalities for babies, children and families.

This year’s Annual Report sets out the wide-ranging impact of the iHV’s work over the past year, spanning new training programmes, research developments and national advocacy that continues to raise the profile of health visiting. Although variation in services persists across the UK and substantial challenges remain, we are immensely proud of the progress made in advancing the quality of health visiting across our nations, and influencing policy to ensure that every family receives the high-quality care they deserve (and health visitors are committed to delivering).

  • A key milestone was the June 2025 launch of Invisible, a powerful film raising awareness of fathers’ mental health, which achieved global reach and drove shifts in policy and practice.
  • The year also saw growing partnerships with organisations committed to improving outcomes for families.
  • We celebrated the introduction of the new Dame Elizabeth Fradd Leadership Programme: iHV Fellows, supporting emerging leaders in health visiting across the UK.
  • Plans are also underway for a refreshed organisational strategy, a new website, a growing research portfolio and exciting new training programmes in 2026 to further elevate the visibility of the profession and strengthen health visiting.

We recognise that ending inequalities and improving the health of all babies, children, and families requires bold, systemic change. It has been a pleasure and privilege to work with so many dedicated partners across the sector, galvanising strength and driving change through a powerful collective voice.

Thank you for your continued support and collaboration. Together, we can make a lasting difference.

To cite this report, please use this link: https://bit.ly/4pPVT8P 

Patients First is FoNS’ partnership programme with the Burdett Trust for Nursing. It enables clinically based nurses, midwives and health visitors to lead innovation in collaboration with patients, carers and staff to advance and improve care in any health and social care setting across the UK.

Over the past seven years, 80 nurses-led teams and numerous patients and carers have experienced the benefits of Patients First. Supported by the Burdett Trust for Nursing, this programme has a proven track record of successful innovations and personal development. At a time when the quality of healthcare and nursing practice is under tremendous scrutiny, Patients First offers teams in any health and social care setting across the UK, a fantastic opportunity to show how nurses, midwives and health visitors are leading innovation and championing a practice culture where care is the best it can be.

Over a period of 18 months, the Patients First Programme provides:

  • A dedicated experienced Practice Development Facilitator offering direct support in the workplace and via telephone/email
  • Six full day learning and development workshops that will bring together the nurse-led teams to explore and enable the development of effective strategies for changing practice and provide opportunities for networking and sharing
  • A bursary of up to £5000

Year 8 of the programme is now open to applications.

Closing date: 5pm, 7th September 2016.