Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to improve the rates of coverage and activity for health visitors in (a) the Wirral and (b) England.

From 1 October 2015, local authorities (LAs) took over responsibility for commissioning public health services for children aged 0-5 from NHS England. Whilst Public Health England (PHE) collects data on coverage, LAs are responsible for local delivery which includes coverage and activity.

In 2010 the Government committed to growing the health visitor workforce and transforming health visiting services to improve health outcomes and reduce inequalities. Since 2010, around 7,500 health visitor training places have been commissioned representing a fivefold increase in the number of health visitor trainees starting training and allowing greater access to services and support for families.

The Department and PHE have produced guidance to support both commissioners and local providers including Guidance to support the commissioning of the Healthy Child Programme 0-19: Health Visiting and School Nursing services. The materials are based on evidence and good practice. PHE and the Department continue to work with the Local Government Association, professional bodies, and locally through PHE Centres to share evidence and guidance that allows LAs to make the best decisions to meet local needs.