The implications of mobile working for health visiting practice

This article highlights the advantages, opportunities and risks of mobile working for health visitors and organisations, drawing on the experience of a small social enterprise that adopted mobile working among the health visiting workforce. Using methodology from the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement's Productive Community Services (PCS) programme, a hybrid module was developed using PCS modules specifically relevant to mobile working to assist the implementation of the project. Important insights are offered into what works well and what issues may need to be resolved, as well as the lessons learnt in the transition to mobile working for health visitors. Findings from this small case study highlight awareness of the wider implications of mobile working and health visiting practice. The study found that the approach taken to support the behavioural and cultural change required to embed mobile working is key and can lead to a continual cycle of improvement.