School Nurses

About

School Nurses are community based teams working with and supporting children and young people aged 5 – 19 and their families, to achieve the best possible health outcomes and to reduce health inequalities.  They deliver public health in accordance with the Healthy Child Programme (DoH 2009), Healthy Lives, Healthy People White Paper (DoH 2010) and Getting it right for children, young people and families – Maximising the contribution of the school nursing team (DoH 2012)

The role of the School Nurse is diverse and in addition to improving the health and well being of young people, including good mental health, they are also involved in increasing the capacity of communities to achieve positive health outcomes.  This is achieved using specialist public health skills and knowledge and close partnership working with other agencies such as education, other health professionals and social care.

The School Nurse teams provide universal services such as screening programmes, for example, hearing and vision at school entry; the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) at reception and Year 6; and health promotion programmes such as vaccinations for those leaving school. They also provide early interventions to prevent illness and health adversity. Safeguarding children is of paramount importance to the school nursing teams and they provide support for the most vulnerable children and families and those with complex health issues.

In accordance with the views and wishes of young people, school nurses aim to provide a visible, accessible and confidential service.

Visit the School Nursing Service website

Tewkesbury

Tewkesbury Community Hospital, Barton Road, GL20 5QL
0300 421 6161
tewkslocality.snt@ghc.nhs.uk

Articles of Interest

• Healthy Child Programme 0 – 19

• Healthy Lives, Healthy People White Paper (DoH 2010) 

• Getting it right for children, young people and families – Maximising the contribution of the school nursing team: Vision and call to action (DoH 2012) 

ChatHealth

A text messaging service offering the county’s 11-19 year olds confidential advice about their health and wellbeing. Chat Health is a service offered by Gloucestershire Health and Care NHSFT School Nursing Team.

The service is available Monday to Friday from 9am to 4.30pm, excluding bank holidays. Automatic bounce-backs will respond to incoming messages out of hours. Messages sent to the dedicated number 07507 333351 are delivered to a secure website, and responded to by a GHC School Nurse. You can refer to the School Nursing Service using the online referral form and information about drop-ins, school nursing hubs and contact details for your local School Nurse team can be found on their website.

The aim is to further improve access to healthcare for young people, and will offer support relating to a wide range of health and wellbeing issues. Examples include - relationships, bullying, healthy lifestyle, anxiety, drugs, smoking, stress, body worries, alcohol, self-harm and sexual health.

Although the service is confidential and young people do not need to disclose their name, if there is a concern for an individual’s safety, there are safeguarding procedures in place. Young people will still be able to see a School Nurse face to face in a school / college drop in or other settings.

Download the 11-16 ChatHealth poster here     

Download the 11-19 ChatHealth poster here

Download the ChatHealth flyer here