§ Lord Molloyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will consider releasing health visitors from medical direction and restoring their role as health promoters in the community.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Hooper):The organisation of health visiting services is a matter for decision at local level. The recent report Nursing in the Community, a copy of which is available in the Library, which was published in December 1990 and has recently been commended to health authorities and family health services authorities by the NHS Management Executive, sets out a range of organisational models. No single model has been recommended, but the report sets out advantages and 3WA disadvantages of each and makes clear the importance of local discussion in devising an appropriate organisational structure. The Government consider health promotion to be an essential element of health visitors' work.