PROFESSIONAL SERVICES


Easier access to school nurses


Pupils’ access to school nurses will be improved, health secretary Andrew Lansley has announced, with easier methods for pupils to schedule an appointment, such as by text, email and phone apps rather than just via teachers.


A consultation involving parents, school nurses and 300 young people


found that it was


sometimes difficult for pupils to make appointments with their school nurse, either because they did not know how or were embarrassed to ask a teacher to arrange an appointment.


Viv Bennett, director of nursing at the Department of Health, said: “We are updating the plan in response to their views. They wanted to make school nursing more accessible and confidential, more ‘in sync with the way we live our lives’, they told us.”


New media could overcome these problems and make it easier for pupils to contact the nurse. Nurses will still provide the same basic services, including injections, health and weight measurements, and advice on smoking, obesity and pregnancy.


Not every school has its own dedicated nurse, as some nurses work across 10-12 different schools in the public sector.


Lansley said: “We want young people to be able to speak to their school nurses more often so they get sound health advice.


“School nurses are hugely important. They can give young people advice on all aspects of health care. We’re going to work with school pupils to look at more innovative ways to get advice and support from school nurses.”


76 | national health executive Mar/Apr 12


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