MSP for Renfrewshire North & West, Derek Mackay, has called for the extension of the Family Nurse Partnerships to Renfrewshire, in a debate in the Scottish Parliament yesterday (27th October 2011).  Highlighting on the need to focus on early intervention, Derek Mackay MSP also highlighted the role of the Triple P – Promoting Positive Parenting– which is currently being expanded in Renfrewshire.

During the debate he called upon Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board to include the Renfrewshire area in the next phase of Family Nurse Partnerships, which is an evidence-based support network who work with young new mothers.

Mr Mackay commented:

‘The family-nurse partnerships initiative that is being piloted and rolled out is a welcome evidence-based programme. I will work hard to ensure that Renfrewshire is included in the next stage of that programme. This would complement the innovative work that I was able to lead as Renfrewshire Council Leader and Community Health Partnership Chair.

“I will not accept no for an answer, because we have such a good record on expanding on programmes such as ‘triple P’, the positive parenting programme which is life changing. Triple P takes a whole-population approach, while the family-nurse partnership targets young mothers with help, the measures are complimentary and would tackle the challenges Renfrewshire faces.

“It is essential to give young people the support that they require and to give their children the best possible start in life.  This is a cause that will not rest for me until delivered.

“The Scottish Government are planning to spend £500million over the next three years on preventative spending, making the right decisions and being pro-active rather than reactive.  This is about not only cost-saving policies but about life-saving and life-changing policies.

“As politicians, we have a duty to the next generation. I accept there is much knockabout that goes on in politics, but we must make the right policy choices so that the next generation has a fair chance and the best possible start in life. That is a commitment to which I believe the Scottish Government will live up to, and I want to make happen in Renfrewshire”.

NOTES
The Family Nurse Partnership sees a family nurse visit first-time mothers, 19 and under every one or two weeks during pregnancy and throughout the first two years of their baby's life.  The nurses work intensively with the families to offer guidance on child development, parenting skills, eating and living healthily and support mothers choosing to take up education or employment opportunities.