Controversial cuts to the health visiting service have been “paused” while Lewisham Council reviews concerns over high nurse-to-child ratios.

This comes after the Save Lewisham Hospital campaign raised concerns over the council’s analysis of the impacts of the £196,306 cut.

The proposal to cut £196,306 from the budget is part of plans approved at mayor and cabinet to cut a total of £642,000 across public health services, including cuts to substance misuse and community nutrition services.

This follows a reduction in funding from central government.

Save Lewisham Hospital spokesman and retired community paediatrician, Dr Tony Sullivan, raised concerns over the council’s analysis of the the impacts of the cuts to the health visiting service at scrutiny meetings last week.

He said the plans to cut three health visiting practitioner jobs, which are currently vacant, would only see further pressure on existing staff with the skill mix of the service diluted through previous cuts.

“We are talking about a system that has had blow after blow after blow,” he explained.

This comes after Lewisham Council analysis of the impacts of the cuts included non-qualified health visiting assistants and did not include four and five-year-olds in nurse-to-child ratios.

Speaking at a children and young people select committee, Dr Sullivan said: “The ratio of children to health visitors is made on a national basis and it isn’t for Lewisham to change the rules.

“If Lewisham Council say we are going to change he rules and say it’s only nought to three and include non-qualified health visiting assistants you have got to justify that to say what the risk is as you are moving away from national guidelines.

“If you cut the vacant posts then soon enough the health visiting team remaining will still have vacancies due to retirement, pregnancy – whatever it may be.

“We are chasing our way down to more and more risky situation.

“The benchmark nationally is nought to five and you have changed the benchmark.

“It is our local duty to safeguard children to the best of our ability. Cutting vacancies will see remaining team under even more pressure and the pressure is enormous already.

“We are asking you to reconsider knowing very well it is not your fault to be in this state in the first place,” he explained.

Cllr Chris Best said council officers would review proposals to cut the service and bring revised proposals to balance the public health budget to the mayor and cabinet in the new year.