School nurse role crucial, says RCN

Published: 30 August 2012

The Royal College of Nursing has welcomed Department of Health (DH) plans to raise awareness of the school nursing service.

The plans, announced today, include new publicity materials promoting the range of services available from school nurses and how to access them, and tips on how best to use the service to smooth the transition to a new school.

RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary Dr Peter Carter said that moves to increase access for pupils are especially important as these can be sensitive interactions. “We welcome these plans which acknowledge the crucial role that school nurses play in improving both the physical and emotional health of children and young people.”

But Dr Carter warned that school nurses are already overstretched.“We must make sure there is the resource to meet demand. To ensure that is not just empty rhetoric the Government needs to deliver the investment that this essential service needs.”

Public Health Minister Anne Milton said:"We want to make it easier for young people to use the school nursing service and get good health advice. One of the keys to this to this is make pupils aware of what school nurses can do for them and how to find them."

Tips include encouraging young people to make every effort to find out who their school nurse is, and encouraging parents to talk openly to their child about their health and development.

The advice on school nursing and materials for young people are available on the DH website