Released on: 24 October 2013
NCT supports the call from England's chief medical officer that all children should be offered vitamin supplements to safeguard their health.
Thursday 24 October
NCT supports call from chief medical officer for free vitamins for children
Senior Policy Adviser, NCT, Rosie Dodds said:
“NCT strongly supports the call for free vitamins for all children under-5. Vitamin D deficiency is having a damaging impact on children’s health, and the recent increase in rickets, a disease which should have been banished to the Victorian-era, is extremely worrying.
“The report also draws attention to the wider issue of child poverty in the UK. Financial stress on families with very young children has effects which are multiplied as children grow and potentially cause problems that are far more costly to solve – in terms of both finance and family wellbeing. NCT is calling for more action in reducing child poverty through protection from further spending cuts of vital services for families with children.”
ENDS
For further press information contact NCT Press Office on 020 8752 2404 or email press@nct.org.uk For out of hours, please call 07722 839 428.
Notes to editors:
About NCT:
NCT is the UK’s largest charity for parents. Each year the charity supports hundreds of thousands of parents through the first 1,000 days of parenthood, offering expert information and trusted practical and emotional support through the website, helpline, a nationwide network of 300 local branches, antenatal and postnatal classes, breastfeeding counselling and peer support schemes. For more information call NCT on 0300 330 0700 or visit www.nct.org.uk