A survey from the Royal College of Nursing lays bare the impact of understaffing and lack of funding on health visitors and school nurses. 

More than half of health visitors in England say they are struggling to provide essential health checks and support to families because of staffing shortages and a lack of funding.

A survey by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) raises concerns that infants and children are missing out on vital early intervention, with crucial mandated checks not always being carried out as services are stretched too thin. 

As well as reviewing the child’s health during these checks and discussing milestones, advice is given to new parents on feeding, safe sleeping, and nutrition. However, 51% of health visitors report that understaffing makes it difficult to complete all these crucial appointments. 

The survey also highlights growing pressures on school nursing services. Nearly three-quarters of school nurses surveyed say workforce shortages have a major negative impact on the support available to pupils. 

Health visitors and school nurses play a key role in supporting children’s physical and mental health, identifying problems early and helping to prevent ill health later in life. However, NHS data shows the number of health visitors has fallen by 46% since 2015, while the number of school nurses has dropped by 29%.

Earlier this year, the Institute of Health Visiting said that some health visitors are responsible for more than 1,000 families each, calling for limits to be placed on caseloads. 

The RCN says that continued underinvestment risks creating long-term public health problems and is calling on ministers to rapidly expand the workforce. 

Nicola Ranger, the RCN’s general secretary and chief executive, says by not prioritising investment in such preventative services the government is “storing up costly problems for the future”.

“There are no clinical professionals better placed to help improve health outcomes, but they need the support of the government,” Ranger adds.

The RCN is calling on the Westminster to ringfence funding for children’s services and support universities to increase training places for both professions.