This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6556897.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Health visitors 'lottery' claim Health visitors 'lottery' claim
(about 1 hour later)
Parents in England are facing a "postcode lottery" of health visitor provision, a family think-tank says.Parents in England are facing a "postcode lottery" of health visitor provision, a family think-tank says.
The Family and Parenting Institute (FPI) said its survey found the number of children per health visitor varied greatly from region to region.The Family and Parenting Institute (FPI) said its survey found the number of children per health visitor varied greatly from region to region.
Caseloads ranged from one health visitor for every 160 children under five, to one health visitor per 1,140 under fives, it said.Caseloads ranged from one health visitor for every 160 children under five, to one health visitor per 1,140 under fives, it said.
The FPI called on the government to safeguard the service for all parents.The FPI called on the government to safeguard the service for all parents.
It said the survey of primary care trusts (PCTs) showed "parents face a postcode lottery when it comes to accessing help from their health visitor".It said the survey of primary care trusts (PCTs) showed "parents face a postcode lottery when it comes to accessing help from their health visitor".
The institute wants ministers to ensure all parents have access to health visitors as well as providing an intensive service for those parents who would benefit most, a preventative service for vulnerable families and better training for health visitors.The institute wants ministers to ensure all parents have access to health visitors as well as providing an intensive service for those parents who would benefit most, a preventative service for vulnerable families and better training for health visitors.
'Parental support''Parental support'
A separate YouGov poll, commissioned by the FPI, suggested three-quarters of 4,775 parents asked wanted support and advice on their under five's health and development from a trained health visitor.A separate YouGov poll, commissioned by the FPI, suggested three-quarters of 4,775 parents asked wanted support and advice on their under five's health and development from a trained health visitor.
Mary MacLeod, the institute's chief executive, said: "Our research clearly shows that parents already value the service they receive.Mary MacLeod, the institute's chief executive, said: "Our research clearly shows that parents already value the service they receive.
"And yet these figures show that this service is under threat."And yet these figures show that this service is under threat.
"In some PCTs there is now a shocking lack of provision.""In some PCTs there is now a shocking lack of provision."
She added that with the health visitor service currently under review by the government, it "owed it to parents to pay attention to what they are saying and to act on it".She added that with the health visitor service currently under review by the government, it "owed it to parents to pay attention to what they are saying and to act on it".
A spokeswoman for the Department of Health said more than 300 health visitors were being trained and it expected the number to rise next year.
"We are also providing £7m for 10 health-led parenting support sites that will give the profession an opportunity to demonstrate their impact on the most excluded families in our society," she said.
In February, the trade union Amicus said the number of health visitors in England had fallen to its lowest level in 12 years.In February, the trade union Amicus said the number of health visitors in England had fallen to its lowest level in 12 years.