SAPHNA Launches Nationwide Petition to Address Health Inequalities Among Children
Leeds, UK – The School and Public Health Nurses Association (SAPHNA) has announced a new campaign aimed at tackling health inequalities among children in the UK. The initiative, which was launched on Tuesday 10th September 2024, calls on the UK Government to reinstate a dedicated school nurse in every school across the nation.
This call to action comes in response to the concerning rise in physical and mental health challenges faced by school-aged children and young people. SAPHNA reports that since 2009, there has been a 35% reduction in the number of school nurses, exacerbating these health issues.
Professor Ranger, responding to the Darzi Review, stated that the previous government had “slashed” school nurse levels, warning of the direct consequences on children’s health1.
Sharon White OBE, CEO of SAPHNA, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that “our children’s health is in crisis, and school nurses are vital in addressing this.” By reinstating a school nurse in every school, SAPHNA aims to provide critical support to children and young people facing issues such as obesity, mental health concerns, and respiratory conditions.
The presence of a school nurse in every school would ensure various benefits, including the prevention of ill health, early detection and intervention for physical and mental health issues, safeguarding of children and young people, and reduced health disparities in underserved areas.
The petition is now available for public support and aims to secure parliamentary attention. For more information or to sign the petition, please visit SAPHNA’s Petition Page (https://saphna.co/news/petition-a-school-nurse-for-every-school/).
Reference:
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/
About SAPHNA:
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 our website: SAPHNA – School and Public Health Nurses Association.
For media inquiries, please contact Lucy Owen at lucy.owen@saphna.co.
This news story was distributed by Pressat (https://pressat.co.uk/).
