IN your article (SA July 19) you refer to the fact that additional health visitors to be appointed next April will mitigate the impact of the closure of the seven centres.
I would point out that these extra posts – and there are l3 of them not 17 as the article says – were proposed several years ago in response to a recognition that Swindon does not have enough health visitors. To suggest that they can make up for the closure of seven children's centres, which currently support hundreds of children each week, is clearly absurd and not the purpose of the posts.
Furthermore, Robert Buckland’s comments about political posturing – ie suggesting that opposition to the closures is insincere – shows how little he appreciates the brilliant work children’s centres have done, and are doing, in supporting children and their families and improving parenting. He obviously does not understand how much they are valued.
Cindy Matthews, Councillor for Lydiard & Freshbrook Shadow Lead for Children's Services, Tithe Barn Crescent, Swindon
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