SCHOOL NURSE NEWSLETTER

Meet the , Heysham & school nurse team: Claire Dillon- Specialist Nurse Practitioner in School Nursing The school nurse team is clinic based Linda Ellis– School Staff Nurse and as a team look after schools in each Kelly-Ann Scarr– School Staff Nurse area, we oversee both primary and high Fiona Suart– Specialist Nurse Practitioner in School Nursing schools. We are clinic based and are ac- Ellie Richardson– Specialist Nurse Practitioner in School cessible by phone or via school if you Nursing wish to discus any physical health or Ali McCabe—School Staff Nurse mental health concerns you may have about your child. We offer support on a Liz Atkinson—Specialist Nurse Practitioner in School Nursing wide range of topics including; eating Victoria Gorst—School Health Support Worker habits, behaviour, sleep, bedwetting, Lindsay Koller—School Health Support Worker anxiety, puberty, common childhood ill- What is a School Nurse and what do nesses, emotional well-being, immunisa- tions, bullying and sexual health. We are they do? more than happy to discuss anything that Welcome !! Once your child starts school, the care of him/ is a concern regarding your child and are her is transferred over from the Health Visitor to the School here to help support you and your child along their journey through school. Nurse. School Nurses are the key public health practitioners who specialize in child and adolescent health. School Nurses work in collaboration with schools, GP’ s and many other Healthy children learn better! So some of community services to support the needs of children, young the Public Health ’s (DoH,2014) people and their families. With your consent we monitor your main priorities are to give every child the child’s health through means such as the National Child best start, this is why it’s important for Measuring programme in reception and year 6 and the new children to learn the importance of health from an early age and this message of Electronic Health Needs Questionnaire in year 6 and 9. These keeping healthy then needs to be reiter- help to highlight health needs which may require interventions ated throughout primary and secondary from a school nurse within the team! school and beyond.

We are increasingly aware of how lifestyle choices are effect- ing our health, how that is impacting on the care you receive During secondary school we provide con- fidential drop-in’s as your child now has by the NHS and how this effects all our long term health out- more freedom and can make the deci- comes. sion to come and speak to us about their own health, as said they are confidential We strongly recommend a healthy diet and keeping active to but if we believe your child may be at risk help stay healthy! Research shows children who eat better or others are at risk the information would are healthier, fitter and have more self-confidence as they are be shared appropriately. Your child will better able to learn. A healthy diet also ensures good oral also partake in the Health Needs Ques- tionnaire in year 9 and reviewed by the health, but being registered at a dentist to attend regular school nurse team, and if it is felt your checks is also necessary! Children and young people are also child would benefit from being referred to entitled to free optical appointments and glasses so if you a service or some one-to-one contact this have any concerns over your child's eyesight, or if you have will be arranged to discuss the issues any other areas of concern, let us know and we can help! raised by the questionnaire.

Available Health advice: Useful Links & Resources:  Healthy eating / exercise  Personal hygiene  www.eric.org.uk  Accident prevention  www.promocon.co.uk  Sun awareness  Young Minds

 Growing up/puberty  5 Steps to mental wellbeing (NHS Choices)  Drugs/smoking/alcohol  Tips on helping your child deal with exam stress  First aid / resuscitation (NHS Choices)

 Bullying (NHS Choices)

What else can you talk to  Cyber bullying (NHS Choices) us about?  Anti-bullying Alliance

 Healthy eating and exercise  ChildLine

 Growth and development  Advice if you're struggling with your child's behav- iour (NHS Choices)  Behaviour and relationships  Helping your child deal with anger issues (NHS  Medical conditions in school Choices)  Immunisations  Children and bereavement (NHS Choices)

 Dentists  Dealing with loss (NHS Choices)

 Bedwetting  Advice on talking to children (NHS Choices)

 Healthy lifestyles for families  www.youngminds.org.uk

 Local support groups  www.selfharmuk.org

 Family distress  The Family Information Network Directory

 Support and Information with:  Asthma UK  Bullying  Anaphylaxis  Drugs• Smoking• Alcohol  ChildLine  •Puberty and growing up.  ADHD North West  Autism

 Change for Life

 LGBT Contact us:  Care Contraception and Sexual Health Heysham and Morecambe School Nurses, (CaSH) Services Heysham Primary Care Centre, Middleton  Eczema – The National Eczema Society Way, Heysham LA3 2LE. 01524 518565  NSPCC Carnforth School Nurses, Carnforth Clinic, Market Street, Carnforth, LA5 9JU. 01524  Young Carers – The Children's’ Society 406495