Healthy lives, brighter futures

The strategy for children and young people's health

Community based nurses will be key to delivery of the long awaited child health strategy for England which outlines a range of new support packages to improve the health and wellbeing of all children and young people and their families.

Billed as "the Government's long term vision of a 21st century children's health service" , Healthy lives, brighter futures was launched in February by Alan Johnson, Secretary of State for Health and Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families.

Importantly, the Government recognises the role of health visitors in ensuring stronger, more joined up support during the early years. Among the measures:

  • a strengthened role for Sure Start Children's Centres, including access to a named health visitor at each centre
  • expansion of the Family Nurse Partnerships programme from 30 to 70 sites by 2011, rolling it out across England over the next decade
  • a new antenatal programme and a "preparation for parenthood" package for both mothers and fathers
  • pilots to look at the health and educational benefits of free school meals for all.

It also includes an additional £340 million for children with disabilities, bringing the total commitment to a record £770 million over the next three years. With the additional funding local areas will be expected to work together to support children with disabilities and their families and invest in palliative care and end of life services, short breaks, community equipment and wheelchair services through community children's nursing services.

The Family Nurse Partnership is testing a model of intensive, nurse-led home visiting for vulnerable, young first time parents.

Fiona Smith, RCN CYP Adviser, commented: "We welcome the commitment to expanding the work of community children's nurses and recognition of the valuable role of health visitors and school nurses play in promoting the health and wellbeing of children and young people and their families.

"We are particularly pleased to see it comes with a significant amount of new money targeted around an area of genuine need. We look forward to working with the Government to ensure successful implementation."

Download the Child Health Strategy and related documents at: www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_094400