Wes Streeting urged to act over school nurse decline
A petition calling for a nurse for every school in the UK has been launched, as child health outcomes “worsen” across the country.
The School and Public Health Nurses Association (SAPHNA) is encouraging nurses, parents, carers and members of the public alike to sign the petition, addressed to health and social care secretary Wes Streeting, which hopes to reverse deep cuts to the school nursing workforce.
“School nurses have a key role in promoting health, preventing ill health, and providing early intervention for school-aged children”
Sallyann Sutton
School nurses, the petition stated, should be available in all schools to lead on the government’s Healthy Child Programme for 0-19-year-olds.
SAPHNA said this would help prevent ill health among children, promote health and wellbeing, aid in the early detection of physical and mental health issues, improve safeguarding at school, and reduce health inequalities.
Sallyann Sutton, Queen’s Nurse and interim professional officer for SAPHNA, said the organisation was “deeply concerned” about a decline in the health of young people in the UK.
In particular, she pointed to the “prevalence” of mental health problems, dental decay, obesity and respiratory difficulties among children, particularly those in deprived areas.
Ms Sutton said a rise in these health issues for school-aged children had coincided with a 35% decrease in the number of school nurses in post since 2009.
This, she explained, should be reversed.
“School nurses make a central contribution to the health and wellbeing of children and young people, helping them build firm foundations on which to progress to healthy adulthoods,” said Ms Sutton.
Sallyann Sutton
“As specialist public health nurses, school nurses have a key role in promoting health, preventing ill health, and providing early intervention for school-aged children.”
Ms Sutton further said that the state of school nursing services was “shocking”, and that a recent survey of school and public health nurses the organisation undertook backed up fears about the negative impact a shrinking of the workforce has had on children.
“A school nurse in every school is not just a preventive measure, it’s an essential investment in the future wellbeing of our children,” she continued.
“We strongly urge parents, carers, children and young people and professional stakeholders to support this initiative, sign this petition.
“Together, we can stem the tide of worsening child health outcomes in the UK.”
SAPHNA chief executive Sharon White added: “Our children’s health is in crisis, and school nurses are vital in addressing this.
“By reinstating a school nurse in every school, we can ensure every child receives the care they need to thrive.”
The petition will be presented to 10 Downing Street on October 8 after the launch of the SAPHNA’s first state of school nursing survey in the House of Lords that same day by Baroness Frances D’Souza.
