Welsh Conservatives warn children and vulnerable families are being left without vital support as the long-running dispute continues
URGENT intervention is being demanded to resolve the continuing health visitor strike at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board amid claims that frontline services have been severely disrupted.
Welsh Conservative Shadow Health Minister Natasha Asghar MS has written to Welsh Health Minister Mabon ap Gwynfor and health board chief executive Paul Mears, calling for immediate talks with Unite and a negotiated settlement.
In her correspondence, Ms Asghar said a fresh ballot held on July 13 resulted in 94 per cent voting to continue industrial action, potentially extending the union’s mandate for another year.
She also cited figures obtained through a Freedom of Information request which reportedly showed referrals from health visitors to social services falling from more than 230 during the equivalent period in 2025 to just 25 during the industrial action in 2026.
Ms Asghar claimed that, during one month, only 300 of approximately 8,000 expected health visitor contacts were completed.
Health visitors provide support to families with children aged up to five, including developmental checks, breastfeeding and feeding advice, immunisation support and assistance with mental health concerns.
They can also play a central role in identifying safeguarding concerns and supporting families affected by homelessness, poverty and financial difficulties.
The dispute centres partly on calls for health visitors currently employed at NHS Band 6 to be upgraded to Band 7.
Ms Asghar said health visitors had argued that the responsibilities and risks associated with their work, including visiting families alone in potentially difficult circumstances, justified the higher banding.
She has also questioned why ACAS was reportedly not invited to a meeting held with the health board on July 14, claiming the last substantive negotiations took place at the end of April.
Her intervention follows a cross-party open letter sent to the health board on April 17 and signed by Rhun ap Iorwerth, who was then Plaid Cymru leader and is now First Minister, alongside representatives of the Wales Green Party and independent politician Beth Winter.
That letter called on the health board to enter meaningful negotiations with Unite, end any practices which could be viewed as intimidating or punitive, and upgrade Band 6 health visitors to Band 7.
Ms Asghar said: “This dispute has now dragged on for six months, with no resolution in sight, and it is children and families who are paying the price.
“Health visitors play a vital role in safeguarding vulnerable children, supporting new parents and identifying problems before they escalate, yet many of these services are now being severely disrupted for months on end.
“The now First Minister wrote to the health board back in April to intervene in the dispute, so I’m at a loss as to what has changed with the Cabinet Minister’s approach since the election.
“It is simply unacceptable that referrals to social services and routine contacts have fallen so dramatically while this dispute continues.
“The Welsh Government and the health board must show leadership, get all parties back around the table and work urgently to reach a fair agreement.”
Andrew RT Davies MS, who represents the Vale of Glamorgan and Bridgend, added: “Health visitors deserve to be treated with respect, but above all we must ensure that children and families receive the support they need.
“This dispute has gone on for far too long.
“I urge the health board and the Welsh Government to resolve this dispute without further delay so that children and vulnerable families receive the support they need.”
In her letter to Mr Mears, Ms Asghar warned that the reduced service was affecting the ability of social services and other public bodies to intervene where children may be at risk.
