Suffolk County Council is now proposing that the nurses remain part of its Healthy Child Service, following public outcry during a consultation that drew 1,928 responses and more than 1,500 detailed comments.
The strongest objections centred on the proposed removal of community staff nurses from the health visiting service.
In July, it was announced that up to 50 NHS nurses could be axed under an initial council proposal, leaving hundreds of staff ‘blindsided’.
June Mummery, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for coastal affairs, communities and public health (Image: Suffolk County Council)
June Mummery, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for coastal affairs, communities and public health, said: “People spoke and we listened. The message could not have been clearer.
“Families, staff and partners told us that community staff nurses are valued, trusted, and make a real difference to children’s lives.
“I wasn’t prepared to ignore that. I pushed hard for us to look again at the proposals and find another way forward.
“Today, we’re recommending that community staff nurses stay.
“Along with the extra health visitors, I believe this will create a stronger health visiting service for Suffolk families.”
READ MORE: Proposals to axe up to 50 NHS nurses in Suffolk slammed
The revised recommendation means community staff nurses will remain part of the service, alongside additional health visitors.
The council’s Cabinet will be asked to approve up to £1.4 million a year in additional core funding, plus £3.7 million a year from the ring-fenced public health grant.
The council has also used the decision to highlight long-standing concerns about government funding.
Ms Mummery said: “For years, Suffolk has been near the bottom of the pecking order when it comes to public health funding from government.
“We receive just £49.25 per person through the public health grant, the lowest allocation anywhere in the East of England and well below the regional average of £60.80.
“This is absolutely outrageous.”
The recommendations will be considered by cabinet on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.
If approved, the next phase will involve further developing the service model in collaboration with staff and union representatives.