Institute of Health Visiting celebrates 10 years with release of documentary

The Institute of Health Visiting (iHV) has marked the 10th anniversary of its creation with the release of a documentary highlighting and celebrating the role that health visitors play in the lives of families across the country.

The film, ‘Health visiting in your community’, produced ten years since the institute was founded by Dr Cheryll Adams, alongside Professor Dame Sarah Cowley, Ros Bryar, and Sally Kendall, aims to showcase the critical work done by health visitors and to raise awareness of the role.

While there are concerns that the work of health visitors can be overlooked, both by the public and in Government, iHV executive director Alison Morton says that she is ‘delighted that we have been able to shine a light of some of this incredible work in our film’.

Shot over a number of months, and featuring interviews with parents and health visitors from Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England, the film follows health visitors in their working day: visiting families and babies in their own homes to deliver care and advice.

In addition to promoting health visiting, the film highlights the growing health inequalities which are experienced by many families, and encountered at the front lines by health visitors.

Wendy Nicholson, deputy chief nurse for the Office for Health Improvements and Disparities, said that the film ‘highlights the vital role health visitors play in supporting and helping parents to give their child the best start in life. The skill, expertise, compassion and commitment shines through – and the difference for children and parents is a testament to public health nurses.’

You can watch the documentary below: https://ihv.org.uk/news-and-views/news/shining-a-spotlight-on-the-vital-role-of-the-health-visitor-new-ihv-short-film/