Talks begin over health visitor and school nurse jobs axe in Staffordshire
Talks are now under way over the future of almost 40 health visitors and school nurse jobs in Staffordshire as the county council battles to cut a further £2.5 million from the children’s services budget.
Among areas that could be affected are the safeguarding of vulnerable children and those suffering domestic abuse, Unite chiefs said as they condemned the move as cruel.
Staffordshire County Council says the move is necessary and will make the service more efficient.
The authority said it is cutting a further £2.5m from the 0-19 years’ service over the next 12 months.
And the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffs Health partnership - that manages confirmed staff are currently in a 30-day consultation period over their jobs.
But Unite regional officer Frank Keogh said: “These cruel cuts are putting vital services, such as maternal and child mental health, child protection and domestic abuse, under even more severe strain.
“Recently implemented cuts have already hit hard in Staffordshire with the loss of children’s centres and support for breastfeeding mothers.
“This second financial hit will further reduce the numbers of health visitors and school nurses and therefore leave our children and families vulnerable.
“They are talking about 37 redundancies to the school nursing and health visitor teams.
“This is going to hit ordinary families who are going to get a massive shock when these basic services are no longer available to them.”
The county council’s health chief Alan White said: “The council absolutely recognises the skill and expertise of health visiting and school nursing services and we want to make sure their support is offered where it is needed most.
“Our new Children and Young People Health and Wellbeing Programme brings these two services together under one roof so that we cut down on duplication and provide support that fits best with today’s modern families.
“With less money to go around, we do have to make every penny count and we will still be spending £9.4 million on this new programme which will offer more targeted, additional support to the most vulnerable as well as making the best use of digital technology via advice hubs.
“We are confident this new programme will offer support and advice to meet the need of busy families.”
