Prescriptions for health visiting

Building on studies of the experience of health visiting, this article makes recommendations about staffing levels, clerical assistance, role definition, counselling, supervision groups, home/work management, job appraisal, career development, training, quality circles, liaison, communication, senior nurse roles and organizational structure and ethos. It calls for more participative management styles and greater involvement of health visitors in human resource management and administrative decision-making. Previous research on the health visitor's role 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 have provided insights into the experience of health visiting. Drawing on these insights and the theory and practice of occupational psychology, a number of recommendations are offered for improving well-being and effectiveness among health visitors. These recommendations are aimed at promoting discussion of issues which emerged as contentious in the research. They are based on studies conducted in three separate and distinct areas of the country which may not be entirely representative. Furthermore, the suggested practices may already be implemented in other areas.