‘Give midwives and nurses greater say’

Health visitors, nurses and midwives need to play a greater role in
child protection, England’s chief nursing officer has recommended.

The review by Sarah Mullally identifies gaps in the way nursing,
midwifery and health visiting services are organised, which affect
their ability to protect vulnerable children. The lack of an
integrated children’s workforce creates a further hindrance.

She says integration is needed across professional and
organisational boundaries between health, social care and
education. There should also be more child protection training for
nurses and more multidisciplinary learning.

Opportunities for nurses, midwives and health visitors to be
co-located in integrated children’s teams, such as Sure Start and
children’s centres, should be maximised, while they should also
take the lead professional role for children and families with
health and development needs.

Mullally recommends the appointment of at least one full-time nurse
for each secondary school and its feeder primary schools, and a
more clearly defined public health role for health visitors within
Sure Start and primary care trusts. 

– Review from www.dh.gov.uk/PublicationsAndStatistics