Comments on: David Cameron announces Tory commitment to a universal health visiting service http://nctwatch.wordpress.com/2008/03/20/david-cameron-announces-tory-commitment-to-a-universal-health-visiting-service/ Just another WordPress.com weblog Thu, 15 May 2008 00:11:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU By: Belinda Phipps http://nctwatch.wordpress.com/2008/03/20/david-cameron-announces-tory-commitment-to-a-universal-health-visiting-service/#comment-38 Belinda Phipps Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:04:31 +0000 http://nctwatch.wordpress.com/?p=36#comment-38 There is no doubt that those caring for a new baby need a great deal of non judgemental support, encouragement and guidance. Getting things right from the start, and helping parents meet other parents locally, makes the difference to how resourceful and confident parents feel. The NCT is pleased that the Conservative Party recognises this, however, details of the proposals need careful consideration. There are strong arguments for targeting most support towards parents who are disadvantaged or have particular needs. Health visiting could be an effective way to support families but finding the numbers of new health visitors and providing appropriate additional training would be a challenge. We need to know how much additional funding there would be under a Conservative government for maternity and early years family support. We also need to see how this proposal fits with earlier proposals such as maternity support workers in the home for every family. There is no doubt that those caring for a new baby need a great deal of non judgemental support, encouragement and guidance. Getting things right from the start, and helping parents meet other parents locally, makes the difference to how resourceful and confident parents feel.

The NCT is pleased that the Conservative Party recognises this, however, details of the proposals need careful consideration. There are strong arguments for targeting most support towards parents who are disadvantaged or have particular needs. Health visiting could be an effective way to support families but finding the numbers of new health visitors and providing appropriate additional training would be a challenge.

We need to know how much additional funding there would be under a Conservative government for maternity and early years family support. We also need to see how this proposal fits with earlier proposals such as maternity support workers in the home for every family.

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