The Scottish Conservatives have backed a campaign to safeguard the role of health visitors in Scotland. Several MSPs gave their support to the Royal College of Nursing drive outside the Scottish Parliament today. RCN Scotland’s ‘Health Visitors for Scotland’ campaign seeks to ensure the service is protected in law for all families in Scotland. Liz Smith, Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife said: “Health visitors play an imperative role in improving the health of not only our youngest generation, but their parents too. “That’s why we want to see universal health visiting to ensure this vital service benefits as many families as possible. “Increasing emphasis is rightly placed on the early years, and how good habits and positive interventions shape people’s health and wellbeing for the rest of their lives. “It is only right that this theory is backed by safeguarding and expanding health visiting. “Until now the SNP has paid lip service to this issue – now it’s time for it to stand by its words and support this campaign.” RCN Scotland associate director Ellen Hudson said: “Scotland’s families deserve health visitors. “They make a significant contribution to the health and wellbeing of children, families and local communities across the country. “That’s why we’ve joined together with our partner organisations in the children’s sector to campaign for stronger legislation that will establish Scotland’s commitment to health visiting. “A first step in addressing this is to enshrine Scotland’s commitment to health visiting in law. We are pleased that the campaign is gaining momentum and welcome this support from MSPs. “I urge everyone to visit our campaign website and sign the petition to the Minister for Children and Young People, and to the Scottish Parliament Education Committee with responsibility for the Bill. “The petition asks them to strengthen the legislation, which would be a vital first step in addressing the many pressures facing health visitors the length and breadth of Scotland.”