RCN: invest in family nurse partnerships

Published: 03 February 2010

Commenting on the Audit Commission report Giving Children a Healthy Start, Dr Peter Carter, Chief Executive & General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), said:

“It is deeply concerning to learn that children living in deprived areas continue to have poorer health outcomes than those in more affluent areas. This report highlights that while some areas are providing a good, targeted service, more needs to be done elsewhere.”

“The benefits of family nurse partnerships are only just starting to be seen – their true value will be seen in the improved health of generations to come. To avoid missing this crucial window of opportunity in a child’s early years, it is vital that the government makes sufficient investment in family nurse partnerships, as well as in health visiting teams.”
Ends

Notes for Editors

For further information, interviews or illustrations please contact the RCN Media Office on 0207 647 3633, press.office@rcn.org.uk or visit http://www.rcn.org.uk/newsevents/media

Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interest of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations.