Health visitors' accounts of the impacts of 'Hall 4' on their practice and profession: a qualitative study

Abstract

The publication of the fourth edition of Health for all children (Hall 4) in 2003 marked a shift in health visiting towards a more targeted service. This paper aims to explore, through the accounts of health visitors, the impacts of this changed policy context for health visiting practice and for the health visiting profession. The study, upon which this paper is based, was a qualitative exploration carried out in one NHS locality with broad socioeconomic diversity. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 16 health visitors. The data was analysed using thematic and narrative techniques. In the study health visitors expressed concerns about the impacts of Hall 4 on health visiting practice, particularly in relation to health visiting expertise and the increase focus on child protection work shaping health visiting practice. In conjunction, health visitors'accounts suggest low morale as a profession.The paper concludes that the impacts of future policy change on health visiting practice must be fully considered; and, measures taken to prepare and support health visitors through periods of policy change.