A nationwide campaign has been launched by the School And Public Health Nurses Association (SAPHNA) to address the growing health inequalities among children in the UK. The campaign, which was announced on Tuesday 10 September, 2024, calls on the UK Government to reinstate a dedicated school nurse in every school across the country.
According to SAPHNA, the reduction of school nurses by 35% since 2009 has had a detrimental effect on children’s physical and mental health. With the rise in challenges such as obesity, mental health concerns, and respiratory conditions among school-aged children and young people, the need for critical support from school nurses is more pressing than ever.
In response to the Darzi Review, which highlighted the impact of the reduction in school nurses, Professor Ranger stated that their numbers had been “slashed by the last government” and warned of the direct consequences on children’s health1.
“Our children’s health is in crisis, and school nurses are vital in addressing this,” says Sharon White OBE, CEO of SAPHNA. “By reinstating a school nurse in every school, we can ensure every child receives the care they need to thrive.”
SAPHNA believes that having a school nurse in every school would not only provide critical support to children and young people but also have a positive impact on the prevention of ill health and promotion of health and wellbeing. Additionally, it would enable early detection and intervention for physical and mental health issues, safeguard children and young people, and reduce health disparities, particularly in underserved areas.
The petition has been made available for public support and aims to secure parliamentary attention. Those interested in signing the petition can do so by visiting SAPHNA’s Petition Page (https://saphna.co/news/petition-a-school-nurse-for-every-school/).
SAPHNA is a leading voice in advocating for school and public health nursing, working tirelessly to improve the health and well-being of school-aged children and young people across the UK. Through strategic partnerships, research, and campaigns, SAPHNA addresses the challenges facing school nursing services today, providing solutions that ensure access to care for all school-aged children and young people.
For more information, please visit the SAPHNA website: https://saphna.co/
For media inquiries, please contact Lucy Owen at lucy.owen@saphna.co.
References:
Devereux E. Darzi review to show NHS is “broken but not beaten” | Nursing Times [Internet]. Nursing Times. 2024 [cited 2024 Sep 10]. Available from: https://www.nursingtimes.net/news/policies-and-guidance/darzi-review-to-show-nhs-is-broken-but-not-beaten-09-09-2024/
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.