RCN welcomes ‘common-sense’ approach to health education in schools

Published: 05 November 2009

Responding to today's (5 Nov) announcement by Ed Balls MP on statutory personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education and the SRE Review group recommendation that parental right to withdraw maintained and lowered to 15, Dr Peter Carter of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) praised the 'common-sense' approach which would improve opportunities for sex education and ultimately help tackle the spread of sexually transmitted infections. Dr Carter said:

"The RCN welcomes today's announcement which is a common-sense approach to ensuring schoolchildren get the PSHE information they need. Every day school nurses see the consequences of young people who haven't had the sex and relationship education they need to keep themselves safe and healthy. It is vital that young people receive accurate information from someone with the knowledge, skills and confidence to respond to enquiries.

"School nurses play a key role in school sex and relationship programmes and the RCN looks forward to supporting more schools in preparation for statutory personal and social health education."

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Notes for Editors

1. For further information, interviews or illustrations please contact the RCN Media Office on 0207 647 3633, press.office@rcn.org.uk or visit http://www.rcn.org.uk/newsevents/media

2. Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interest of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations.