CONCERNED parents say plans to cut health visitor jobs will see vital services for families being lost.

Worcestershire County Council is cutting public health spending by 10 per cent after an equivalent cut in government grant funding.

Parents say they have heard rumours that up to 20 per cent of health visiting staff may lose their jobs.

But Cllr John Smith, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said that, while jobs will be cut, they will not be anywhere near that severe, and that final details are still to be confirmed.

He insisted that those "most at risk" would not be affected by the cuts.

But concerned mum, Siani Driver, from Worcestershire Mums Network, said: "From birth up to five, the health visitors are at the rough end of things. They are a huge preventative service.

"I remember when my daughter Rosie was five days old, she had an infection in her umbilical cord and my health visitor noticed it and sent me to the doctor.

"If the visitors and visits are going to be cut things will be missed."

Health visitors are qualified and registered nurses or midwives with additional training to assess the health needs of individuals, families and the wider community to promote good health and prevent illness.

Ms Driver said the visitors can spot things such as post-natal depression and signs of domestic violence.

She said rumours are circulating that 20 Worcestershire health visitors are set to lose their jobs and be replaced by two nursery nurses.

"I'm qualified as a nursery nurse and you don't need amazing qualifications. It won't be as well paid and people won't be as experienced," she said.

"My health visitor has been a huge support to me. They are just brilliant, especially if you don't have family around."

Ms Driver said she learnt about the cuts from her midwife and said the talk is "common knowledge" among parents.

Cllr Smith said government cuts to the ring-fenced public health grant last year, led the county cabinet to have to cut £1.9m in spending to relevant services.

"We don't know the final details but once we do we will make them public," he said. "We are adamant that we will maintain the service to those in most need and at risk."

The government grant is used by councils to commission public health services, which have been its responsibility since April 1, 2013.

Cuts are set to affect public health services provided by Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, such as health visiting, family nurse partnership, breastfeeding support and school nursing service.

Union, Unite, has organised a meeting with Sarah Dugan, chief executive of Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, to discuss the cuts, which are set to kick in from October 1.

Cllr Smith said: "In response to a national reduction in Public Health Ring-Fenced Grant (PHRFG) from central government, cabinet agreed to a reduction in the Worcestershire PHRFG over the coming years.

"Following consultation, WCC responded to concerns about the sharp impact of immediate reductions, and so decided to mitigate the impact with a phased introduction through the planned use of reserves."