For families across Perth and Kinross, a persistent and deeply worrying issue continues to cast a shadow over early childhood development: the ongoing suspension of crucial health visitor checks for infants. This situation has endured for a significant period, prompting renewed calls for immediate action to restore these essential services.
Concerns were initially raised approximately one and a half years ago when it first came to light that newborns in the region, along with those in neighboring Angus, would not be receiving scheduled health appointments at key developmental stages. These critical appointments, typically recommended around three months, four months, eight months, and then again between four and five years of age, were put on hold. At the time, officials attributed this decision to considerable pressures on staffing resources within the local health board, NHS Tayside, pledging that improvements were on the horizon with new hires. Regrettably, despite those assurances, local reports indicate that this pause in routine health monitoring remains in effect for many Perthshire and Kinross-shire families. The Critical Role of Health Visitors
The ramifications of these missed checks extend far beyond simple administrative oversights. Health visitors play a foundational role in safeguarding the well-being of young children and providing invaluable support to new parents. Their routine assessments are designed to meticulously track a child’s physical and cognitive development, identify any potential delays or abnormalities early on, and offer guidance on critical aspects such as feeding, sleep patterns, and overall infant care. Crucially, these visits also serve as a vital lifeline for parents, particularly new mothers who may be navigating the complexities of post-natal mental health challenges, acting as an early detection mechanism for issues like postnatal depression. Furthermore, health visitors are often the first point of contact for identifying subtle indicators of potential welfare concerns within a household, including signs of domestic violence, allowing for timely intervention and support. When these routine touchpoints are absent, the window for early intervention shrinks, potentially leading to more complex and entrenched problems for both child and family down the line.
The current operational model means that a considerable number of infants in Perth and Kinross may not see a health visitor for an entire year or even longer, specifically from their four-month mark until well past their first birthday. This protracted gap in professional oversight is particularly alarming given the rapid developmental changes that occur during these formative months. Early detection of issues, from minor developmental quirks to more serious health or safeguarding concerns, is paramount to ensuring optimal outcomes for children. Delays can result in missed opportunities for early support, potentially exacerbating issues that could have been more easily addressed if identified sooner. The shift from proactive, universal screening to a more reactive, “responsive” model means that unless a family actively seeks help, critical support may not be automatically offered, potentially leaving vulnerable individuals to struggle in silence. Calls for Urgent Action
While NHS Tayside maintains that its service remains “responsive” to families who proactively reach out for assistance, the reality on the ground indicates a segmented approach. Specifically, routine check-ups are largely suspended for families where no “additional needs” have been identified, shifting the onus onto parents to recognize and report concerns. It has been confirmed that this “adapted” service is actively in place across Perth and Kinross. In Angus, a similar reduced visiting schedule is being implemented by five out of thirteen health visiting teams due to ongoing staffing challenges. Local health officials emphasize that children requiring supplementary support continue to receive the full programme of visits as per the Scottish Universal Health Visiting Pathway, aiming to provide targeted interventions for those deemed most at risk. However, for many others, the regular, reassuring presence of a health visitor, a cornerstone of early years care, has been significantly curtailed.
This enduring situation has drawn criticism from local political figures, including Michael Marra, Labour MSP for North East Scotland. He has urged NHS Tayside to rectify these prolonged service deficiencies, expressing concern that the health board frequently allows temporary difficulties to become entrenched norms, resulting in care standards that fall below those experienced elsewhere in Scotland. The call to action highlights the imperative for local health services to address these deep-seated staffing issues and ensure that all families in the region receive a comprehensive and consistent health visitor service, underpinning the health and future prosperity of Perth and Kinross’s youngest residents.
Concerns were initially raised approximately one and a half years ago when it first came to light that newborns in the region, along with those in neighboring Angus, would not be receiving scheduled health appointments at key developmental stages. These critical appointments, typically recommended around three months, four months, eight months, and then again between four and five years of age, were put on hold. At the time, officials attributed this decision to considerable pressures on staffing resources within the local health board, NHS Tayside, pledging that improvements were on the horizon with new hires. Regrettably, despite those assurances, local reports indicate that this pause in routine health monitoring remains in effect for many Perthshire and Kinross-shire families. The Critical Role of Health Visitors
The ramifications of these missed checks extend far beyond simple administrative oversights. Health visitors play a foundational role in safeguarding the well-being of young children and providing invaluable support to new parents. Their routine assessments are designed to meticulously track a child’s physical and cognitive development, identify any potential delays or abnormalities early on, and offer guidance on critical aspects such as feeding, sleep patterns, and overall infant care. Crucially, these visits also serve as a vital lifeline for parents, particularly new mothers who may be navigating the complexities of post-natal mental health challenges, acting as an early detection mechanism for issues like postnatal depression. Furthermore, health visitors are often the first point of contact for identifying subtle indicators of potential welfare concerns within a household, including signs of domestic violence, allowing for timely intervention and support. When these routine touchpoints are absent, the window for early intervention shrinks, potentially leading to more complex and entrenched problems for both child and family down the line.
The current operational model means that a considerable number of infants in Perth and Kinross may not see a health visitor for an entire year or even longer, specifically from their four-month mark until well past their first birthday. This protracted gap in professional oversight is particularly alarming given the rapid developmental changes that occur during these formative months. Early detection of issues, from minor developmental quirks to more serious health or safeguarding concerns, is paramount to ensuring optimal outcomes for children. Delays can result in missed opportunities for early support, potentially exacerbating issues that could have been more easily addressed if identified sooner. The shift from proactive, universal screening to a more reactive, “responsive” model means that unless a family actively seeks help, critical support may not be automatically offered, potentially leaving vulnerable individuals to struggle in silence. Calls for Urgent Action
While NHS Tayside maintains that its service remains “responsive” to families who proactively reach out for assistance, the reality on the ground indicates a segmented approach. Specifically, routine check-ups are largely suspended for families where no “additional needs” have been identified, shifting the onus onto parents to recognize and report concerns. It has been confirmed that this “adapted” service is actively in place across Perth and Kinross. In Angus, a similar reduced visiting schedule is being implemented by five out of thirteen health visiting teams due to ongoing staffing challenges. Local health officials emphasize that children requiring supplementary support continue to receive the full programme of visits as per the Scottish Universal Health Visiting Pathway, aiming to provide targeted interventions for those deemed most at risk. However, for many others, the regular, reassuring presence of a health visitor, a cornerstone of early years care, has been significantly curtailed.
This enduring situation has drawn criticism from local political figures, including Michael Marra, Labour MSP for North East Scotland. He has urged NHS Tayside to rectify these prolonged service deficiencies, expressing concern that the health board frequently allows temporary difficulties to become entrenched norms, resulting in care standards that fall below those experienced elsewhere in Scotland. The call to action highlights the imperative for local health services to address these deep-seated staffing issues and ensure that all families in the region receive a comprehensive and consistent health visitor service, underpinning the health and future prosperity of Perth and Kinross’s youngest residents.