Conservatives would hire up to 4,200 new health visitors if elected

Up to 4,200 more health visitors would be employed if the Tories came to power, the Conservatives revealed yesterday.

The Conservatives said they would they would help mothers cope with the first difficult years of a child's life by employing roughly double the current amount, the Times reported.

The plans were unveiled in the families chapter of the Tories' draft manifesto. All mothers will be guaranteed six hours of visits in the first two weeks of a child's life, and once a fortnight until the baby is six months old.

Health visitors will be expected to carry out all visits in the home.