UK child health decline linked to health visitor shortage, experts say
5 reported
A letter published in The Guardian on July 21, 2026, responds to a recent report on declining child health in the UK, based on a study by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. The letter, signed by several health professionals and academics, criticizes the report for not addressing the shrinking health visitor workforce. The authors state that health visitors, described by Unicef UK as the “backbone of the early years,” are specialist public health nurses who provide universal home visits to families. They note that the profession is in crisis, with 45% fewer health visitors than in 2015, and argue that rebuilding the workforce is key to improving child health and reducing inequalities. The letter also highlights that children from poorer communities face higher rates of infant mortality, obesity, poor mental health, and other adverse outcomes, and that poverty drives lifelong health inequalities.
What’s reported
The letter responds to a report on UK children’s health based on a study by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.
Health visitors are described by Unicef UK as the “backbone of the early years” and provide universal home visits.
There are 45% fewer health visitors than in 2015.
Children from poorer communities face higher rates of infant mortality, obesity, poor mental health, and other adverse health outcomes.
The letter states that poverty drives inequalities that persist throughout life.
Key figures
Barbara Stilwell, President, International Collaboration on Community Health Nursing Research
Alison Morton, CEO, Institute of Health Visiting
Sally Kendall, Professor of community nursing and public health, University of Kent
Gina Higginbotham, Emeritus professor of ethnicity and community health, University of Nottingham
Pam Smith, Professor of nursing, University of Edinburgh
Dr Louise Lawson, Lecturer in social policy, University of Glasgow
Sarah Woolnough, King’s Fund (quoted as saying the report is a “wake-up call”)
Sources: The Guardian
