More than four in five school nurses say there are not enough staff to deliver a school nursing service, a new report has revealed.
The School and Public Health Nurses Association (SAPHNA) has this week launched its new report – The Forgotten Frontline – at the House of Lords, in a bid to raise awareness of the ‘increasingly urgent challenges’ faced by school nurses.
Based on the findings of a survey completed by 278 school nurses across the UK and drawing on data from the government, the document underscores the ‘alarming disinvestment’ and severe staff shortages within the sector.
Its survey saw 82% respondents sound the alarm over a lack of staff in place to deliver a school nurse service.
SAPHNA also pointed to data given by the government which suggested the average school nurse in England cares for over 4,000 pupils (0.25 full-time equivalent school nurses per 1,000).
In some areas the situation is worse, with school nurses in the South West of England having to care for as many as 9,090 each (0.11 per 1,000) and as many as 6,660 (0.15 per 1,000) in the South East.
This data is based on November 2023 figures and only includes those working within ‘NHS trusts and other core organisations’, and not at a local authority level.
The report described the variation across the country as ‘very concerning’, warning that a ‘growing postcode lottery’ of school nursing services was leaving many children without access to timely care.
SAPHNA’s survey findings also highlighted the growing health concerns of school-aged children, with 72% of school nurses marking an increase in overweight and obesity issues, and 70% reporting a rise in dental health concerns.
The majority (96%) had also reportedly seen an increase in mental health concerns and 86% reported a rise in self-harm and suicidal behaviours.
SAPHNA has been campaigning for ‘a school nurse in every school’ and yesterday delivered a petition with almost 3,000 signatures to Number 10 Downing Street.
Sharon White, chief executive of SAPHNA, said the report and petition ‘reflects the urgent need for government action’.
‘Every child deserves access to a school nurse for ongoing support in mental, physical, and emotional health. [Yesterday], we brought this call directly to Downing Street.’
She added: ‘School nurses are critical to the health and wellbeing of our children, but they are being stretched to the breaking point.
‘We urgently need to invest in this workforce to address the growing health inequalities faced by our young people. Our children deserve better, and the time for action is now.’
A Department for Health and Social Care Spokesperson said: ‘Too many children are not receiving the start in life they deserve so we will fix the NHS and create the healthiest generation of children in our history by shifting focus from treatment to prevention.
‘School nurses will play a critical role in this and we are committed to growing training places for school nurses and providing specialist mental health support for children and young people in every school.’
