School Nursing Service

Throughout their time at school a team of specialist Health Service and Education staff will be seeing children as part of a planned programme to make sure that they benefit as much as possible from all that school has to offer, and to help prepare them for life after leaving school.  The school health service is part of Midlothian’s Community Child Health Service and has direct links with those who carry out health checks on children before they start school.  

Many different services are provided.  The issue of maintaining confidentiality is taken seriously by the School Health team at all times. The staff involved make every effort to work closely with parents and with others who are caring for your child, both at school and in other branches of the Health Service.  

Some of the services, e.g. testing of vision in Primary 1, are normally provided to all children on a routine basis to discover which children may need further tests or treatment.  Parents are not necessarily notified at the time of these screening tests and any parent who does not want a child to be included should notify the school at the beginning of the session.  Naturally, if treatment if thought to be required, parents will be informed and consent requested. 

Some of the staff concerned and the parts they play are as follows:-

The school nurse is the lead professional in mainstream schools in Midlothian.  School nurses are involved with health promotion and education, prevention of ill health, immunisation, health surveillance and screening.  The school nurse may be helped by a health assistant and have close working links with Community Paediatricians. 

The school nurse acts as an important link between home and school.  She visits the school regularly and liaises with the teaching staff.  Where a teacher is concerned about a child’s health or development, a referral may be made to the school health team only after obtaining parental permission.  Separate referral to child and family mental health services also needs parental permission.  The school nurse can link with other members of the health team, in the community or in hospital, concerned with a child’s health.  The health team also work closely with colleagues from other children’s services.  

The school nurse reviews the notes of all children in Primary 1 as well as those of all new entrants.  A member of the school health team measures their growth and tests vision.  The school nurse will assess these measurements and results.  In addition she may review children who are referred either by parents, teachers or other health professionals at any stage in their school like. 

Every opportunity is taken to provide pupils with access to confidential support and advice from the school health team throughout their school career.

Parents are also asked to complete a health questionnaire about their child at Primary 1 and Primary 7. Any specific conditions can be raised at that point. 

With your consent, the school nursing staff also carry out immunisations to protect against various diseases:

Annually (from P1) – Flu Vaccination

Age 12-14 – testing for resistance to tuberculosis and immunisations (BCG) where required.

Age 14-15 booster immunisation against tetanus and polio. 

If you have concerns about your child’s hearing the school can refer them to the appropriate specialist directly.  The speech and language therapist can provide assessment and, if necessary, support if you, a teacher, your GP or the school doctor feels that your child may need help with communication.  Appointments are normally arranged at the local Speech and Language Therapy clinic with follow-up at school if required.  Speech and Language Therapists work closely with school staff and support is often provided as part of a Learning Support programme. 

Any enquiries concerning the provision of dental services should be made to the Director of the Community Dental Service, 16 Duncan Street, Edinburgh EH9 1SR (tel: 0131 667 7114).

We hope that the School Health Service can, together with yourselves, contribute to your child’s overall well-being and development. 

Please do not hesitate to arrange through the Head Teacher to see the school doctor, school nurse or the health visitor if you want any information.