School nurses stretched to breaking point
Published: 22 September 2009
Embargoed until: 00:01, Saturday 12th September 2009
School nurses stretched to breaking point
The average school nurse has to look after more than 2,500 school children[i], according to a new report from the Royal College of Nursing (RCN). The report found that two thirds felt overstretched and unsupported by their rising workload, and that government targets to increase the numbers of school nurses are unlikely to be met by the deadline next year.
Nearly three quarters of school nurses now spend a significant amount of time dealing with child protection issues, compared with around a half questioned for the last report in 2005. Their other main responsibilities include administering HPV and other vaccines, tackling obesity, educating staff to deal with conditions such as asthma and diabetes and providing sexual health advice.
The average school nurse now looks after these issues for more than seven schools, with a quarter looking after more than 10[ii]. One nurse questioned looked after 26 schools.
Janet Davies, Executive Director of Nursing and Service Delivery at the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), said:
"School nurses are on the frontline in improving the lives of children. As well as playing a key role in safeguarding vulnerable children, they are also central to the battle against child obesity, underage drinking and teenage pregnancy. The fact that there is a shortage of nurses to meet the rising demand is simply unacceptable. Overburdened school nurses are looking after too many pupils and it is children who are being disadvantaged.
"The Prime Minister reaffirmed his commitment to provide a school nurse for each secondary school and cluster of primary schools when he spoke to nurses at the RCN Congress in May. While we are very pleased with this commitment, this report demonstrates that delivering this pledge would mean making as much progress in the next year as we have seen in the last four. When school nurses are taking on an issue as crucial as the protection of children, we shouldn't be taking a chance by not having enough of them."
School nurse Joy Winks said:
"Things have got a little better in terms of the number of nurses, but the demands on us just keep going up. School nurses want to protect children and help them to make healthier choices. When we can spend enough time with them, we can make a real difference for young people in many areas, such as their diet, their sexual health and any problems with drugs and alcohol. We know school can promote the future health of young people, but in some areas it can be very difficult due to the sheer number of pupils we're looking after."
Janet Davies continued -
"School nurses, where they can get to know pupils, can help with issues as they develop and avoid more serious consequences, whether it is with regard to sexual health, bullying or diet. There is the serious risk of a 'lost generation' of adults being blighted by long-term health problems in the future if they don't get the help and support they need as children. If the shortage of school nurses is not addressed now it will end up costing the NHS substantially more in the long-term."
-ends-
Notes for Editors
The report was produced by Employment Research Limited on behalf of the Royal College of Nursing. The total sample of school nurses was 1601, and 1145 valid responses were received.
For further information, interviews or illustrations please contact -
RCN Media Office on 0207 647 3633, press.office@rcn.org.uk or visit http://www.rcn.org.uk/newsevents/media
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.
[i] The average state school nurse in this survey has responsibility for 2590 school children in 2009.
[ii] The average school nurse in 2009 covers a total of 7.5 schools, including primary, secondary and special needs facilities.