Wow, what an amazing couple of days at the #iHVEBP2021 conference, “Looking ahead to a fairer future” held on 21st & 22nd September!
Over the last two days almost 400 delegates from across the UK joined together to reflect, recharge and look ahead to a fairer future at the 6th iHV Evidence Based Practice Conference which was held virtually.
The virtual world quickly became filled with a shared passion and energy to make a difference and improve outcomes for babies, young children and families. We heard from local, national, and international expert speakers, including parents, who shared best practice examples, brought constructive challenge and shared innovative solutions. We were also the first to hear some of the latest research into health visiting that is driving change in policy and practice. The conference was themed around reducing inequalities and sharing learning from the pandemic. We also took some time to reflect and think about how we can look ahead to the future with a shared ambition to build a fairer society.
Despite health visitors’ best efforts to reach as many families as possible, the conference also highlighted the challenges that the health visiting profession in England faces, following years of cuts and a postcode lottery of support. Our mission at the iHV is to drive positive change using the data – and from the data it is clear that health visitors in many areas are struggling with unmanageable caseloads, increasing complexity and need, and health visiting numbers at an all-time low. The iHV is working in collaboration with the Parent-Infant Foundation and the First 1001 Days Movement to set out a case for investment to deliver the Start for Life vision, including money for health visiting in the Spending Review.
Sally Hogg (Head of Policy and campaigning for the Parent-Infant Foundation and Co-ordinator and Chair of the First 1001 Days Movement) ended our conference with a call to find the inner warrior in all of us! Sally launched the #InvestInHealthVisiting #TurnOfftheTaps campaign which is calling for the Government to invest in health visiting.
Sally Hogg said:
“We are investing billions in overstretched health and social care services, which are flooded with growing need. It’s time for a different approach. It’s time to turn off the taps and stop mopping the floor and think about how health visitors can save the NHS.”
We have compiled some highlights from Sally’s speech, so if you missed it you can catch up and find your inner warrior and join us with this campaign. Together we are stronger!
Alison Morton, Executive Director iHV, commented:
“I am delighted that so many organisations and individuals have joined alongside the iHV, as part of the First 1001 Days Movement, calling for investment to deliver the Government’s Start for Life Vision and increase the number of health visitors. We hear daily how the NHS is flooded with growing need – now is the time to #TurnOffTheTaps . The evidence is clear that investing in the earliest years of a child’s life is the smartest of all investments – we don’t need any more evidence for this. It is time to stop admiring the problem and invest in the infrastructure of support that will actually make the difference. We urge all health visitors to join this campaign and speak out about the vital work that they are doing. We would also like to thank all of our partners for their unwavering support.”
