School nurses urged to set-up text and out-of-hours services

As part of the School Nurse Development Programme the Department of Health has published a range of materials to help. They include posters, factsheets, PowerPoints (for assemblies) and other publicity materials which can be downloaded online.

Ministers are also hoping that this term will see a rise in students using text and out-of-hours websites to contact their school nurse. It comes after the Department of Health, in consultation with young people from the British Youth Council, formed plans that would allow students to text or email their school nurse for quick advice or to make appointments.

Around 300 young people, known as “school nurse champions”, were found earlier this year to help the Department of Health to implement the idea. However, while some school nurses are providing such services this term, the plans have yet to be rolled out.