Health visitors have a vital role to play in the development and protection of children, says Airedale Community Health Council (CHC).

The body, which speaks up for NHS patients, has been asked to comment on possible changes to the education and registration of nurses, midwives and health visitors.

Members have been told health visitors fear they could be seen by the NHS as expensive and worry the review could be an excuse for phasing them out. The CHC acute services sub-committee is keen to see the role of the health visitor maintained.

The 1997 Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Act is under review and a consultation document suggests health visitors could be regarded as just one of a number of specialist nurse groups.

The document, considered by CHC members last Thursday, explains that the NHS has changed dramatically since the regulation of nurses, midwives and health visitors was established in 1979.

The document suggests it is an historical anomaly to refer to health visitors as if they were a separate profession from nurses.

But, it explains, they have stood apart from the rest because of their public health role and care of young children.

It says health visitors are no longer alone in being nurses with post-registration qualifications and suggests they be acknowledged as nurses along with the rest.

The document says the nursing profession has divided itself into small groups, fenced off from one another. It suggests the debate about health visitors could be seen as an aspect of this 'tribalism'.

The document suggests in future six types of nurse be registered, with health visitors and others with extra qualifications and competence defined as specialist practitioners.

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