The changing face of school nursing

The expanding role of school nurses and the implications of public health reform were hot topics at an RCN conference attended by almost 200 school nurses recently.

A speech by Heather Gwynn, Director of Children, Family and Maternity Services at the Department of Health, topped the agenda with questions asked about future investment and support for a workforce under pressure.

Speaking about plans to overhaul the NHS, Heather said the Government had ambitious ideas about improving health services in the early years and increasing support for families and young people.

“We know that this will be a challenging period dominated by change,” she said, “but we are committed to improving services and making headway.”

Heather acknowledged the Government’s focus on increasing health visitors and recognised that this had left some school nurses feeling sidelined. She said the department would be looking to improve the transition between support offered before and during school years.

Heather also expressed the need to more explicitly define what school nursing is, what the profession has to offer, and what role it has to play in promoting the mental and physical health of children and adolescents. 

RCN member Liz Ritchie said: “There is a definite need to have more school nurses. We’re now under more pressure and have greater responsibilities than ever before. More children are presenting with emotional and mental health needs which demand more of our time. It’s frustrating because it feels like we’re failing the kids.”

The RCN is aware of a Department of Health work programme on school nursing and several members are representing the membership on various task and finish groups. It is anticipated that outcomes from the work will be announced by the end of the year.

Work is also underway in the RCN to produce a position paper demonstrating the importance of school nursing - to lobby for greater investment, better training and more incentives to enter this specialty.

Examples of local initiatives and best practice are now being sought to be used as case studies in the publication. To submit your entries or find out more, email fiona.smith@rcn.org.uk