The health visitor service is transforming and expanding. An extra 4,200 health visitors are being recruited across the country by 2015 to allow them to work more effectively with families and play a larger health education role that will give children the best possible start in life.

For existing health visitors, these changes are an opportunity to establish themselves as local health leaders and show that Health Visiting is an innovative, rewarding, highly regarded profession. For registered nurses or midwives, and others interested in making a difference to local families, now is the time to consider that career change and apply for our year-long, funded courses. Alternatively, previous health visitors can complete a three month return to practice programme to help get back up to speed quickly with the changes.

Being a health visitor is extremely rewarding. Health visitors build long lasting relationships with families to improve the health and wellbeing of children. This has a positive impact on local communities and ultimately benefits the long term health of the whole population.

The links with public health will be further cemented in the future when Health Visiting will be commissioned by local authorities via the new organisation –
Public Health England (subject to any changes in the Health and Social Care Bill).

By 2015, the Health Visitor will lead and deliver the Healthy Child
Programme (a national programme to improve the health of all
children, offered from pregnancy – five years).