The 2024 School and Public Health Nurses Association's (SAPHNA) annual conference – A School Nurse for Every School: School nurses' positive impact in addressing health inequalities in children, young people, and their families – held at Buckinghamshire New University on 6 November gathered over 300 attendees both in person and online. The event offered a mix of expert presentations, poster displays, and wellbeing activities, fostering connections and insights within public health nursing in schools.
The conference was opened by school nurses Annie O'Neill and Sue Miller, co-founders of OM Health and Wellbeing. They gave an entertaining session on school nurse wellbeing – placing this front and centre for the day. Sharon White, SAPHNA CEO, gave an inspiring opening address with her boundless enthusiasm and passion for school nursing. She emphasised the difference public health nursing in schools can make for children and young people's health and wellbeing, and highlighted a growing momentum in ‘raising the roar’ for school nursing in policy arenas.
Sir Michael Marmot delivered a compelling analysis of worsening health inequalities among UK children. Ten years on from his landmark review on health inequalities, UK children's health has worsened. He cited concerning statistics, such as rising rates of child poverty, obesity, and poor nutrition, largely due to policy-driven austerity and reduced public funding.
SAPHNA's Professional Officer, Sallyann Sutton, highlighted findings from SAPHNA's recent UK-wide survey. While public health nurses in schools are a specialist workforce that is part of the solution for children's health needs, the current picture of school nursing also paints a sobering picture. School nurses are increasingly diverted from preventive care to reactive management of complex cases. School nurses are not receiving the support they need, and there are varied approaches to 0–19 service delivery, which tend to emphasise the mandated early years aspects of the Healthy Child Programme. Despite these challenges, Sallyann showcased examples of resilience and innovation among nurses working within limited capacities.
Professor Jamie Waterall, Deputy Chief Public Health Nurse for England, presented the potential benefits of the recent government emphasis on a shift in healthcare from treatment to prevention, which could elevate the role of public health nursing. A much-needed investment in public health nursing was explored – which would maximise on public health nurses' specialist knowledge and skills, nurses being the most trusted health care professional, and nurse presence in all areas of health care. Next steps would be to consider mandated aspects of the Healthy Child Programme within future health policy. Professor Waterall encouraged attendees to contribute to ongoing government health consultations to ensure that school nurses are a focal point in future health policy.
Dr Melanie Hayward from Buckinghamshire New University led a high-energy session on the essence of the school nursing role, underscoring the importance of preventive care and clear professional boundaries in maximising impact. Focusing on the challenges school nurses can experience in relation to their safeguarding role and child protection process; and the recent policy position statement by SAPHNA, in partnership with the Association of Directors of Public Health and the Institute of Health Visitors on the Safeguarding Role of Public Health 0–19 Services; she encouraged SN to reflect on the purpose of the school nursing role and how school nurses skills are best employed at the preventive end of the health care spectrum. She urged school nurses to refocus on health promotion and preventive practices, which are foundational to the role.
Personal narratives gave a joyful dimension to the event. Megan Leach, SAPHNA Young Ambassador, shared her journey as a young carer, advocating for youth voices in health policy. The Long Covid Kids Choir then performed an original song written in collaboration with the talented young songwriter Frankie Morland; and George Webster inspired attendees with his story as the first CBeebies presenter with Down's syndrome and his new book This Is Me!
A timely presentation, sponsored by Astrazeneca and presented by Dr George Kassianos, on flu prevalence and vaccine hesitancy provided practical insights into combating misinformation and fostering vaccine acceptance through empathy and reliable information.
Then it was time to celebrate achievements. The award for best poster went to Jean Raveena from Kent Community Health Foundation Trust for her work on ChatHealth promotion through Snapchat. Hannah Roberts, a student nurse from Warwickshire's Connect for Health, won best student poster for her outreach with the Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities. A special long-service award was presented to Marie Thomas, team lead for school nursing in Hammersmith and Fulham. Marie came to England in the early 1970s and completed her nurse training at Romford School of Nursing. Since then she has worked 52 years with the NHS, the majority in school nursing in Hammersmith and Fulham. She is recognised for her continuous commitment to best practice, tireless campaigning for local families, advocacy for the vulnerable, and exemplary leadership.
Joe Lane, Deputy Director of Policy at the Children's Commissioner's Office, closed the conference by emphasising the importance of listening to children's perspectives. He shared insights from the Commissioner's Big Ask and Big Ambition consultations, which gathered the views and aspirations of over half a million children. He said that children's voices must be central to policy-making, as they have an instinctive understanding of their own needs.
This year's SAPHNA conference highlighted both the challenges and the resilience within school nursing, uniting the community in a shared commitment to children and young people's health and wellbeing.