Primary schools' use and perceptions of the school nursing service

Abstract

Background It is increasingly important for public services to seek users' perceptions of service delivery. Though young people are the end users of school nursing services (SNS), their use is largely mediated via schools. Currently there is an absence of empirical data on schools' use and perceptions of the SNS, and consequently uncertainty about schools' reactions to the changing role of the school nurse (SN) with the greater emphasis on public health. Methods A questionnaire was devised to establish schools' use of the SNS and their perceptions of the current and future roles of SNs. Questionnaires were sent to all primary schools in one Birmingham PCT (n = 70) and a 68.6 per cent response rate was achieved. Results Schools identified SN involvement in a wide range of school-based health promoting activities. Main activities were input into teaching healthy eating, sex and relationship education (SRE) and emotional support. Many schools were satisfied with the level of SN input but one fifth of schools requested more input. Drop-in sessions were particularly requested. Conclusions Schools were largely satisfied with current levels of SN input and comfortable with the focus on the whole family. SNs were perceived as accessible and an invaluable support to schools in a PCT which has high health and social care needs.