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Sunday 17 January 2016

Shortage of health visitor recruits in NHS Lothian and Midlothian

"ONE of Scotland’s largest health boards has warned it faces significant challenges in recruiting health visitors to oversee the new Named Person Act amid chronic staff shortages.""The contentious scheme, due to become law later this year, will allocate a state representative to look after the wellbeing of every child under 18, with health visitors playing the role for children under five."

"NHS Lothian is unlikely to have enough staff until at least 2018/19 due to a 19 per cent vacancy rate, which rises to 44 per cent in Midlothian, according to recent board papers..."

"NHS Lothian officials have said they need a further £1.3 million to train 53 additional health visitors, on top of the extra posts."

Chief executive Tim Davison told a board meeting last month: "If we simply can’t get enough health visitors then we may have to look at how the service might look like in future, where people from other places might assist with child health....."

"The Scottish Government has invested £41.6m over the four years to 2018 to provide 500 extra health visitors, to ensure staffing levels are adequate for the visits and developmental reviews, a Scottish Government spokesperson said."

"The spokesperson added: `Health visitors are valued members of the nursing workforce and we remain committed to their vital contribution to improving the health and wellbeing of children, young people and families.` "

"`The role of the Named Person is to provide a single point of contact for parents and children who can help and support them in liaising with other services.`"

"NHS Lothian said it has begun an intensive training process and a quicker recruitment campaign to boost numbers."

http://www.scotsman.com/news/nhs-lothian-warns-over-named-person-scheme-amid-staff-shortage-1-4003169


Health Visiting Pathway

The Scottish Model of Procurement does not seem to be working very well and since the role of the Named Person is much MORE than a single point of contact [note the development reviews] there is no doubt that training will have to be provided for the additional health visitors.

It is beginning to look like a scrambled mess.

http://alicemooreuk.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/is-protest-against-named-person-merely.html

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