Practice nurses, midwives and health visitors are being asked to complete a survey on immunisations.
The survey has been developed as a joint collaboration between Public Health England, the Royal College of Midwives, the Institue of Health Visiting and the Royal College of Nursing. The aim is to better understand the current role of practice nurses, midwives and health visitors in our immunisation in pregnancy programmes and to identify how to improve support through training and access to information.
David Green, nurse Consultant in the PHE Immunisation Team said: I would encourage all [practice nurses, midwives and health visitors] to take 10 minutes to complete this survey to help us better support them in their responsibilities within these important programmes which save the lives of pregnant women and babies. Their views and experiences are extremely important to us, even if they do not feel they are directly involved.'
The survey asks healthcare professionals who work with parents considering vaccinations during pregnancy about their attitudes and practices. Healthcare professionals who are not directly involved with vaccinations during pregnancy are still welcome to complete the survey. The survey asks which vaccinations are currently recommended during pregnancy, who has the main responsibility for giving advice on vaccinations in pregnancy and questions about training for advising patients on vaccinations during pregnancy.
Cheryll Adams, director of the Institute of Health Visiting, said: 'Health visitors are mandated to undertake a holistic assessment on all pregnant families in the third trimester and then to visit families until their child goes to school. These visits are crucial to introduce parents to the concept of immunisation and so parents know which immunisations are recommended, why they are important and the key side effects. This survey is important to understand health visitors' level of knowledge about immunisation and the issues they face in practice so that they can be provided with relevant development opportunities.'
Responses are anonymous. For more information on the survey please contact immunisation.lead@phe.gov.uk
The survey closes on 31 May 2015.