Summary
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many health visitors in England were reassigned to other roles in the NHS, which some officials say harmed children who needed their services. An inquiry heard that these redeployments led to overloaded workloads for remaining health visitors and moved care online, contributing to serious harm for some children.
Key Facts
- Health visitors in England were moved to different NHS tasks during the pandemic.
- Many health visitors were meant to assist severely ill patients but ended up doing admin work.
- Remaining health visitors had to manage up to 750 children, far above the advised 250.
- Shifts like virtual visits instead of home visits may have contributed to child harm and deaths.
- Star Hobson and Arthur Labinjo-Hughes, children harmed during the pandemic, were highlighted.
- The Institute of Health Visiting communicated concerns to the government in mid-2020.
- NHS England's Chief Nursing Officer stated safeguarding efforts continued but adapted.
- A letter halted redeployments in October 2020, following persistent concerns.
