FEAR NEW MUMS LEFT HEALTH VISITORS WILL
MORE than 80 per cent of new mothers failed to receive critical support during the spring lockdown, as staff were redeployed to help with the pandemic.
A report, published last week, shows “catastrophic” consequences of the loss of parental support during the first wave of the coronavirus crisis.
It comes as a coroner’s report linked the death of a baby girl to the lack of safe-sleeping advice which was misunderstood after being delivered by text rather than face-to-face.
The study, by the Parent-infant Foundation, refers to new families becoming “invisible” to professionals, leading to a risk of longterm
‘We’re extremely
concerned’
developmental damage as well as evidence of a rise in undetected abuse or neglect.
It states babies are “particularly vulnerable to the effects of lockdown” due to their dependency on support and services, and susceptibility to the environment.
However, only half of health visitors adapted to digital or phone services after an initial “hiatus” following the announcement of the lockdown. And while it was noted some services started to resume again in September, most “did not bounce back quickly as lockdown eased”.
The research, which examined more than 60 studies on the impact of the pandemic on infants aged two and under, also gathered evidence from a survey of 235 health visitors, child and mental health support workers, together with community child health
leaders. It found that 86 per cent of health visitors were not able to continue face-to-face contact with all or most families.
Thirty-five per cent saw no families in person and half were only able to offer support through website information. Eighty-eight per cent of health visitors said their families were at risk of poorer outcomes due to lack of contact with essential services, with 80 per cent believing babies had already been negatively affected.
It concluded, “national decisionmakers had a myopic focus on Covid-19 risks which hampered wider risks to communities. The loss of connection brought by lockdown poses not only a significant challenge to babies and their families but also the services and systems that support them.”
It identified the “hidden harms”
of lockdown, including social isolation, financial shock, juggling childcare and work, unsafe living environments, illness, bereavement, Covid-19-related anxiety, and limited access to services.
Last month, Greater Manchester senior coroner Alison Mutch blamed the death of baby Violet Leona Jackman on the fact health visitors had been unable to give safe-sleeping advice in person.
Violet was discovered unresponsive on May 17 last year after her Moses basket tipped over.
Ms Mutch said had health visitors been able to enter the home they would have seen the location of the basket “was inconsistent with safe-sleeping”.
She said the parents could “not have known” they had got the advice wrong when they shared information via text message.
In conclusion she stated that because “health visitors nationally were redeployed into other services” during the pandemic... “there was no clear way of ensuring both parents understood the guidance given or of following up that the advice had been shared in detail”.
Elizabeth Duff, of the National Childbirth Trust, said: “We are extremely concerned about the impact on babies.
“The first 1,000 days from pregnancy to age two are an age of opportunity. This is a critically important period of a baby’s rapid development that lays the foundation for well-being and happiness.
“The lockdown and the reductions in direct contact with most services removed key support from parents of babies in this age group just at the moment they were most needed.”
Mumsnet founder Justine Roberts said: “Being a new parent is hard enough without the constraints that Covid brings.
“A Mumsnet survey showed that of those who have been pregnant since March, nearly threequarters have had fewer health visitor or midwife home visits, and 77 per cent have felt scared or isolated at some point.
“New mothers and babies are coming far too low on the Government’s priority list. The consequences of not considering their needs can be catastrophic.”
‘Early days are very important’
BORIS JOHNSON is to be immortalised in ATV drama by one of the country’s most celebrated actors, Sir Kenneth Branagh.
Bafta and Emmy award-winning Sir Kenneth, 60, best known for his role as Scandinavian detective Wallander in the BBC drama series, will play the Prime Minister inthis Sceptred Isle, which is currently being filmed in Norfolk.
The five-part drama charts the events the Government and country faced in the first wave of the pandemic.
It reportedly will focus on the Prime Minister’s private life, including the birth of sonwilfred, his own experience of catching coronavirus and his earlier handling of the crisis.
It is based on first-hand accounts from those inside
Number 10, Sage and hospitals and care homes.
Producers are also said to be looking for actors to portray the doctors and nurses at Stthomas’
Hospital in London where the PM, 56, was treated.
It is directed by Michael
Winterbottom, who has a track record of making provocative films, such as 24-Hour Party People, A Cockand Bull Story andthe Road To Guantanamo.
He also directed the comedy travelogue The Trip, starring Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon.
Mrwinterbottom, who was also a co-writer, said: “The first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic will be remembered for ever.
“A time when the country came together to battle an invisible enemy.
“A time when people were more aware than ever of the importance of community.
“Our series weaves together countless true stories – from Boris Johnson in Number 10 to frontline workers around the country – chronicling the efforts of scientists, doctors, care home workers and policy makers to protect us from the virus.”
The Sky Original Drama will air on Sky Atlantic and streaming service
NOW TV.