Cuts to school nurses putting vulnerable pupils at risk

♦ A fall in the number of school nurses is putting children at risk, the Royal College of Nurses (RCN) has warned. Youngsters who had asthma, epilepsy or diabetes were particularly vulnerable in the classroom because of the dwindling numbers, the RCN said.

It is calling on the Government to ensure local authorities are provided with the funds needed for fully staffed school nursing services. The union said the loss of school nurses was leaving teachers without vital training, and pupils without necessary support.

The deterioration of services could leave pupils with health conditions unable to attend mainstream school, the RCN warned. According to data published by the NHS this week, more than 550 school nurses were lost between May 2010 and May this year, almost a fifth (19 per cent) of the total NHS workforce in England.

The fall has gathered pace in recent months, with more than a hundred posts lost so far this year.