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The latest survey published by the Institute of Health Visiting has provided an insight into the complex issues facing the profession and the state of child health in the UK, as Bethany Boddy explains

Health professionals working in primary care have an important role in education, signposting and giving advice to families in relation to managing minor illnesses, says Bethany Boddy

Bethany Boddy explores the evidence base behind common childhood skin conditions and the role of health professionals in promoting health and wellbeing

Bethany Boddy explores the evidence base behind common childhood skin conditions and the role of the health visitor in promoting health and wellbeing

The latest NHS Staff survey identified concerning results in relation to staff wellbeing. What can individuals, leaders and organisations do to mitigate the significant risk of staff burnout?

There are now lower numbers of health visitors than when the Health Visitor Implementation Plan was first introduced in 2011, says Bethany Boddy. Where does that leave the profession and what needs to happen to implement change?

Bethany Boddy explores the health visitor role in oral health promotion, the evidence supporting effective interventions and barriers to embedding oral health promotion in practice

March 2022 marks 2 years since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. What is the evidence around the impact on maternal, infant and child health?

This article discusses the nutritional needs of moderate and late preterm infants (born between 32+0weeks and 36+6weeks' gestation) and makes recommendations for best practice both while these infants are in hospital and when they are discharged into the community. These recommendations were derived following a roundtable meeting of a group comprising two neonatologists, three paediatric dietitians, a health visitor/paediatric nurse and a midwife practitioner. The meeting and medical writing assistance was sponsored by Nutricia. None of the participants accepted honoraria for their contributions to the discussion.

Bethany Boddy explores the guidance and evidence into functional gastrointestinal disorders in infants and how to support parents to support their infants

Health visitors play a central role in assessing and supporting families to manage sleep concerns; but with little evidence-based guidance on managing infant sleep difficulties this can be challenging, says Bethany Boddy

In March 2021, the UK government and Public Health England published reports recognising the importance of the first 1001 days and the health visiting service. What does this mean for health visitors working in practice?

Bethany Boddy reflects on the findings of the State of Health Visiting survey alongside current evidence of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on children and families. What does this year have in store for practice?

Bethany Boddy reflects on the importance of the first 1001 days for infant and child mental health

Bethany Boddy reflects on her time as a newly qualified health visitor and asks what needs to be done to support the profession moving forwards

Bethany Boddy discusses the importance of user feedback to health visiting practice, encouraging clients to let us know what they think about the service, including the positive aspects and areas for improvement

Bethany Boddy considers the need for holistic assessment of appointments where children were not present, and the importance of considering that a child was not brought, rather than did not attend

Bethany Boddy explores the evidence in relation to domestic abuse prevalence, asking routine enquiry question and responding to a disclosure

Bethany Boddy explores the evidence around paternal mental health illness, and the role of the health visitor through assessment, identification and signposting using a whole-family approach

Bethany Boddy considers the important role health visitors have in discussing vaccinations with families through mandated contacts and sharing evidence-based research to promote vaccination uptake

With families home schooling their children, caring for young babies and managing housework during lockdown, it is important for health visitors to promote home safety advice to help prevent unintentional accidents and injuries

Bethany Boddy explores the barriers to breastfeeding in the UK and how practitioners can promote breastfeeding within health visitor practice

With the government publishing a policy paper on obesity in July 2020, Bethany Boddy looks at the health visitor role in early identification, health promotion and intervention for families

Bethany Boddy reflects on the changes and challenges faced by health visitors during the coronavirus pandemic

Bethany Boddy reflects on the evidence of improved outcomes after home visiting by health visitors and its important use in assessments

Bethany Boddy explores the fast-changing public health emergency of COVID-19 and the health visitor response

Bethany Boddy considers the evidence around child health clinics, and how teams and can use this client interaction to discuss health promotion messages

As a new cohort of health visitors qualify, Bethany Boddy reflects on the importance of resilience and the way individuals, teams and organisations can support staff as they develop their skills as practitioners through preceptorship

There has been much in the news recently about how to achieve the best start for children in the UK. Bethany Boddy reflects on the importance of the health visitor contacts for families in the UK and the challenges faced to ensure every family is seen

Bethany Boddy reflects on how the health visiting profession should embrace, gather and take forward user feedback to help improve practice