Health visitors gather to mark their ‘vital role’ in lives of Scots children
Hundreds of health visitors have gathered for a conference celebrating the “vital role” they play in the health and wellbeing of children and families.
The “Taking Care of our Future” event in Glasgow is to hear from speakers including Health Secretary Shona Robison and Chief Nursing Officer, Professor Fiona Mcqueen.
Around 300 health visitors from across the country will attend, with representatives from all health board areas taking part.
And a series of workshops will be held covering topics such as infant nutrition and speech and language development.
In October 2015 the Scottish Government published a new Universal Health Vis- iting Pathway which sets out the core home visiting programme to be offered to all families by health visitors.
The programme aims to provide 11 home visits to all families – eight within the first year of life and three child health reviews between 13 months and four to five years old.
Ms Robison said: “[Health visitors] have a vital role in the health and wellbeing of children and families in our communities and they are at the core of delivering the enhanced universal pathway.
“We are absolutely committed to ensuring that children and families across Scotland get access to the right support in the child’s earliest years.”