Beds School Nursing Services
Who are we?
School nurses are part of Bedfordshire Community Health Services’ 0-19 team. Our team is made up of specialist nurses, staff nurses and support health professionals.
When your child comes to school we take over their care from your health visitor. We can support your child with their physical and emotional needs from when they start school until they leave. Our role is to ensure that nothing gets in the way of your child’s development, so that they can achieve their full potential through good attendance at school.
Our school nurses are mobile health professionals, based in community settings like health centres who can support children and families at all maintained schools across Bedfordshire, but please note we are not permanently based in schools.
What we do
We support children aged 5-19 with:
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Their individual healthcare plans in schools
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A confidential health service.
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Support for the physical and emotional health and wellbeing of children, young people and families.
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Advice on healthy choices, e.g. healthy eating, dental health, sexual health and substance misuse.
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Healthy lifestyle promotion, including advice on diet and exercise.
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Health reviews
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The childhood immunisation programme, which ensures your child is protected against disease and infection.
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Support and information for teenage parents.
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Support for families with complex needs such as diabetes and asthma
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We work in partnership with outside agencies to promote the rights and educational needs of young carers.
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Advice and information on the issues of bed wetting and constipation.
Health checklist before starting school
You can help your child start school in a healthy way, by making sure the following are up to date before they start school:
When to contact us
Please contact us before your child starts school if:
- They have an additional medical need that will require emergency medication or a care plan (allergies, epilepsy, for example).
You can contact us at any time after your child starts school if:
- Your child has any health issues or needs which require support in school, such as asthma, allergies or epilepsy.
- You are concerned about a child’s diet and eating habits.
- You are concerned about your child’s development, interaction with others or behaviour.
- Your child is aged 5 or older and wetting or soiling during the day or night, Please also visit www.eric.org.uk for more information in the meantime.
How to contact our service
Please call the Health HUB on 0300 555 0606. Calls will be answered Monday Friday, between 9am and 5pm (excluding Bank Holidays).
The administrator will ask for your child’s name, date of birth and the school they attend so they can identify the school nurse team in your area, who will return your call within 2 working days.
Video Appointments
We are now offering video appointments to some of our families. The decision to offer this type of appointment will be made by our clinicians and is a service for pre-booked appointments only. Click on the link to access this service and click here to find out more about video appointments.
Parentline
Parentline is for parents and carers of those aged 0-19 and offers advice and support on a range of issues such as weaning, baby feeding, moving onto solid foods, minor illnesses, sleep and emotional health or to make an appointment with a health visitor.
To access Parentline, simply text 07507 331456.
ChatHealth
ChatHealth is for young people (aged 11-19) to confidentially ask for help about a range of issues, such as emotional wellbeing, diet or physical health, or to make an appointment with a school nurse.
To access ChatHealth, simply text 07507 331450.
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