The government is considering fast track training for those wanting to work as health visitors.

In an effort to meet the pledge to employ an extra 4,200 health visitors by 2015, the government are currently considering options which include allowing hospital nurses to train at work, and allowing those nurses with relevant hospital based experience to work as community health visitors.

The number of health visitors in the UK has fallen dramatically. In 1988 statistics show there were 10,680 full time workers but by September 2009, this had fallen to 8,519. Current rules state that health visitors must be qualified nurses with a minimum of two years practise.

They must also have completed a post registration degree level course of at least a year. In contrast to some hospital training given, the main skill needed is the ability to be able to work independently. Similar to the training given to those in nurse manager jobs, health visitors must also learn to lead a team and attend courses on management, leadership, research, public health and prescribing.

According to Nursing Times, the Department of Health is considering how nurses working in hospitals can gain a health visiting qualification using on-the-job training. Direct entry courses in which students can train as health visitors without a nursing degree are also being explored.

A spokeswoman for the DoH confirmed that the government was currently exploring ways to make it easier for people to qualify as health visitors.

"We are working with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and professional bodies, looking at how the entry standards can be achieved through more flexible ways of training," she said.