MPs are calling for more health visitors, family hubs, vaccinations and better support for mothers’ mental health.
A new parliamentary report has revealed a stark and worrying reality: English children have ‘some of the worst child health outcomes in Europe’.
The report, published this week by the Health and Social Care Committee, scrutinised the ‘first 1,000 days’ of a child’s life and stressed government action is imperative to improve national child health.
One of the main, and arguably most shocking, findings outlined in the report was the UK recorded 2,911 measles cases in 2024 – the highest number since 2012. Eleven children also died from whopping cough.
Additionally, the number of health visitors plummeted over the last decade. In December 2024 there were only 6,300 in England, which equates to a 43% drop since 2015. This finding is particularly alarming as, in some areas, health visitors care for up to 1,000 children.
Paulette Hamilton, a member of the committee, 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.’
‘Over the last two decades, we have seen a hallowing out of health services for infants – the family hubs programme still barley touches the sides of what was once provided by Sure Start centres before they were forced to close,’ Hamilton continued. ‘And our provision of health visitor appointments is woefully inadequate in some parts of the country.
‘This committee now calls on the government to reestablish health visiting as a cornerstone of the state’s support for families in communities across England’.
Crucially, MPs are asking the government to recruit 1,000 more health visitors, who must have either a nursing or midwifery qualification and training in public health nursing.
Reinstating the NHS target to give 95% of children their routine vaccinations is also central to the report. MPs have challenged the government to achieve the goal by July 2029.
Tamora Langley, head of policy at the Parent-Infant Foundation, said: ‘The government’s 10-year health plan promised to roll out healthy babies services to every local authority, but they haven’t said when. Babies can’t wait.
‘It’s key to get help fast to parents who are struggling to bond with their baby.’
According to figures from the Royal College of Psychiatrists, in 2025 an estimated 56,000 to 85,000 new mothers in England experienced postnatal depression, with perinatal mental illness affecting up to 20% of women during pregnancy or the first year.
Maternal suicide remains a leading cause of death for women six weeks to a year post-birth, accounting for 34% of deaths in this period.
Langley added that mental health support is ‘fundamental’ for new mothers, ‘so it’s great to see this respected committee demand further action.’
Dr Wendy Taylor MBE, chair of the Local Government Association’s health and wellbeing committee, said focusing on children’s health has never been more important.
‘The first 1,000 days of a child’s life shape lifelong health, and we cannot continue to overlook the services that support families during this crucial period,’ Taylor explained. ‘Councils want every child to have the best start in life, but national prioritisation and investment in early years public health and the health visiting workforce have not kept pace with need.
‘We support the ambition behind family hubs and the development of Healthy Babies services. However, Healthy Babies funding has not yet been expanded to all councils, leaving many areas without consistent support for parents and infants.’
Image: Annie Spratt/UnSplash
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