WGPlus (Archive)

Joined-up care in early years

From Thursday (October 1) the commissioning of key services, including health visitors – registered nurses or midwives who lead & deliver health services for children – and family nurses, who provide services such as intensive support for young mums, has switched to local authorities from the NHS.  For councils, this is the ‘final piece of the jigsaw' after public health responsibilities transferred to them in April 2013.

The Local Government Association, which represents over 370 councils in England & Wales and has campaigned for the 0-5 transfer, says the momentous move will ensure councils are responsible for health ‘from the cradle to the grave’. A more holistic, joined-up approach to healthcare, it will not just be about clinical care but will provide better access to a range of services, including housing, benefits, employment & leisure, which are inherently linked to healthy living.

In preparation for the transfer, councils and school nurses have been working together to co-ordinate & deliver public health interventions for school-aged children. This includes reducing childhood obesity, under-18 conception rates and the prevalence of chlamydia; and the management of mental health disorders.

Researched Links:

LGA:  Mums & dads to see massive benefits for young children as health responsibilities transfer to councils

PHE:  Clear opportunities for local organisations to improve children’s mental wellbeing

Joined-up care by law

When Mother & baby are at their most vulnerable

Everything is very ‘personal’ when you are a child

Why has it taken so long to introduce?

Moving health visiting services to local government must not be a ‘short term fix’, says Unite

Ways to highlight problem

A bitter pill for most

Sam Gyimah visits Paris to share best practice in childcare

Helping children & adults manage diabetes: NICE publishes updated suite of guidelines

NHS England launches first stage of new programme to improve young people’s mental health services

NICE issues standard on improving maternal & child nutrition

New epigenetics research to understand how early life experiences affect health

CSJ - Nearly a 1,000 children in care repeatedly forced to move school

New campaign promotes positive parenting

New childcare centre set to give Swansea families a Flying Start

NICE publishes guidelines to tackle premature birth & manage breathing disorders in children

Toddler talk: New resources to improve children’s language skills

NICE redoubles efforts to reduce harm from alcohol, smoking & physical inactivity

Parents to get complete picture of child’s development

Edinburgh a world leader on family nurse partnership

New Change4Life campaign encourages families to make sugar swaps

Progress on health visitor numbers could be hit by looming £200m public health cuts

Early education is better than ever but attainment gap remains

‘Wake up’ call as community nurses express concern about new NMC revalidation process

Children’s dental health improving

Empowering families to make informed choices on co-sleeping with babies

LGA - Urgent review of social work 'skills crisis' needed to help recruit quality social workers

CMO: Prevention pays - our children deserve better

TKF - 'Family care networks' – the future of primary care

Inaugural conference highlights key role of nurses & midwives in improving health and wellbeing

Spotlight on women at Serco – Anita’s story