HEALTH visitors in Haringey are dealing with more than three times the number of families recommended by industry guidelines.

Haringey’s Teaching Primary Care Trust (PCT) has one of the worst ratios of health visitors to under-fives in London, a report published on May 1 has revealed.

Figures from a Family and Parenting Institute report show that only 21 health visitors are working in the trust area, for nearly 16,764 children — making it the third lowest in England.

Guidelines issued by the Community Practitioners’ and Health Visitors’ Association (CPHVA) suggest that for health visitors to be effective, they should manage a caseload of 250 children.

Working with 782 children, health visitors in Haringey are dealing with over three times that amount.

Haringey Teaching PCT said that it was increasing the pay rates and employing six more full-time health visitors in a bid to keep staff numbers up.

It also plans to provide additional investment in school nursing and train- ing and focus on child protection for children services staff.

Mary MacLeod, chief executive of the Family and Parenting Institute said: “A well-trained health visitor can make all the difference.

“They really are the frontline, able to pick problems early before matters get out of hand.”

Lambeth PCT had the worst ratio, with 894 families being looked after by 33 health visitors.

Barnet PCT was the second worst, with a ratio of 833 families for 35 health visitors.

The Family and Parenting Institute asked all 152 PCTs in England questions on health visitors and budgets, of which 138 replied.