18 July 2007 Government slashes the number of health visitors in Hertfordshire The Government’s own figures have revealed a ten percent fall in the number of health visitors in Hertfordshire. In 2005 there were 6,716 but this was slashed to 6,105 within a year. Health visitors provide vital services to many of the most vulnerable. Oliver Heald, MP for North East Herts, commented: ‘This issue was brought to my attention by local doctors who were greatly concerned that the cuts to services may jeopardise patient care. ‘Health visitors are vital to help the most vulnerable and it is disgraceful that the Government has been making such enormous cut backs. ‘The Government says healthcare is one for their top priorities but they have a strange way of showing it.