Health visiting and public health: back to our roots or a new branch?

The term 'public health nursing' has been introduced within the last decade into the UK without being adequately defined. In consequence, confusion has arisen over the use of the term 'public health' in relation to health visiting. It is not yet clear whether the introduction of the term 'public health nursing' into the UK is a positive step for health visiting, or if it threatens its core functions. The historical developments of the public health movement and health visiting were traced, in particular, the main strands that have led to current confusion over role identity. Analysis of the literature led to one suggestion as to the nature of the public health role for health visitors. This was examined within a social policy framework in order to understand its relevance to current NHS practice. Finally, the contemporary link between health visiting and public health is explored in order to assess whether the public health role represents a new development within health visiting, or an attempt to rediscover mainstream support from public health departments.