Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The number of health visitors has fallen significantly under the previous government.
What steps are being taken to improve NHS health visitor provision given that the number of health visitors fell under the previous government?
Health visitors play a vital role in supporting babies, children and families. This Government have taken action on this issue. The upcoming professional strategy for nursing and midwifery will set out a bold direction of travel to strengthen health visiting across England.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific steps or timeline were not provided
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
Questioner shared personal experience of birth trauma and lack of support afterwards.
Will the Minister ensure that health visitors recognise dads and other non-birthing partners, check in on their mental health, and help them access support?
I thank my hon. Friend for being so brave and willing to share his and his wife's birth trauma, and I commit that the Government will look closely at all the findings in Baroness Amos's review and work with the national maternity taskforce to translate the recommendations into action. We have updated our national health visiting guidance to include a high impact area on family mental health.
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Assessment & feedback
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Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Women report skipping appointments due to negative experiences with health visitors, especially around breastfeeding.
Will the Minister commit to improving the training of health visitors so that women receive the best quality care?
Yes, we are working on the 10-year workforce plan and the training of all NHS workforce is a big part of it. In my new position as public health and prevention Minister, I am particularly interested in the work of health visitors supporting breastfeeding rates.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific details on improving health visitor training were not provided
Response accuracy