Visiting time

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has published a consultation paper on public health nursing and the role of health visitors, in the light of the changing NHS landscape and the planned expansion in health visitor numbers. This document builds on two earlier position papers, on community nursing and health visitors, seeking to capture views of RCN members and develop some clarity about the health visiting role. The RCN wants to be clear that the focus of health visiting is on maternal and child wellbeing in the early years (0-5) and that general public health goals should be the concern of every nurse. Responses are due by 4 November 2011.