// BBC HEALTH NEWS — SALUTE
Deal agreed to end health visitor strike affecting baby appointments
A health visitor strike saw thousands of appointments cancelled
Health visitors are set to return to work next week after a deal was reached to end a nine-month strike that saw thousands of missed appointments.
Unite union said the agreement with Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board would see all health visitors offered new roles, describing it as a "historic pay win" and a major victory for workers.
The health board said it had agreed to develop a new specialist health visitor role with additional responsibilities, subject to approval processes.
The Welsh government welcomed the return of staff and said that restoring services for babies and young children was now the priority.
About 100 health visitors with the health board have been on strike since February in a row over job grading, saying they were losing up to £9,000 a year as a result.
Home visits have dropped dramatically, with the health board saying that safety and accessibility of services was its priority during the strike.
Between March and May 2025, the board, which covers Bridgend county, Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda Cynon Taf, carried out 6,140 visits.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said the agreement was "a magnificent victory" for health visitors.
"This dispute was about recognising the skilled, vital work health visitors do for families and children in their communities," she said.