MPs have called for an overall of early years’ healthcare support, including more health visitors and Family Hubs, and a new vaccines strategy.

The Health and Social Care Committee report covers the first 1,000 days of life, from conception to age two.

Speaking on behalf of the committee, Paulette Hamilton, said: ‘Children growing up in our country today stand too great a chance of becoming overweight, developing asthma or tooth decay, or catching life-threatening yet preventable diseases due to missed vaccines. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health says the UK has some of the worst health outcomes for young children in Europe. This should be a source of shame.'

The report calls for recruitment of at least 1,000 more health visitors, expansion of the Family Hubs network to every community, with ringfenced, long-term funding, and a new strategy to turnaround falling vaccination rates with a goal of 95% coverage in England.

Reaction

Cllr Dr Wendy Taylor, chair of the Local Government Association's Health and Wellbeing Committee, said: ‘We urge the Government to commit to rebuilding the health visiting workforce and providing stable funding for Family Hubs Healthy Babies services so all communities can access support.'

Professional Advisor for Children and Young People at the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, Dr Sally Payne, said: ‘The report lays bare the significant shortfall in occupational therapist staffing levels in neonatal units and what this means for vulnerable infants and families. It also echoes our concerns that allied health professionals – including occupational therapists – are under-represented in current neighbourhood health guidance.

‘With expertise in child development and in both physical and mental health across the lifespan occupational therapists are uniquely placed to help caregivers build routines, strategies and skills to navigate the challenges of early parenthood and give their infants the best possible start in life.'

A Government spokesperson said: ‘This Government is giving every child the best possible start in life – regardless of their background. We've put them at the heart of our 10 Year Health Plan with a range of preventative initiatives from obesity to dentistry, so we can help raise the healthiest generation of children.

‘This month we announced a new £2m pilot that will see health visitors reach families facing barriers to vaccines, to ensure even more children are protected. Parents are now also able to protect their children from chicken pox through the MMRV vaccine, which is for free for the first time ever.

‘We're also backing our Best Start Family Hubs with an extra £500m, giving families access to joined up health and children's services right in their own community.'

Lee Peart is editor of Hemming Group’s Healthcare Management magazine.