HC Deb 03 July 2001 vol 371 c150W
Mr. Drew

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to regulate the role of health visitors. [1360]

Mr. Laurence Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Health to include health visitors on the Nursing and Midwifery Council; and if he will make a statement. [1854]

Mr. Hutton

Health visitors will continue to be regulated as part of the nursing and midwifery professions. The draft legislation establishing the new Nursing and Midwifery Council recognises their special contribution to public health and contains several safeguards for health visiting. Health visitors will have a separate register, protection of their professional title and be guaranteed equal representation on the council with nurses and midwives, and from each United Kingdom country.