The school health service

Abstract 

The school health service came into being almost 100 years ago. It has responsibility for delivering a core service to all children of school age, although some with special needs will require additional input. It is important that the service offered is tailored to the needs of the population, both as a group and as individuals. There is also a public health contribution that the service is ideally placed to make. Close co-operation is required with a number of individuals and agencies, most importantly the young person and their carer. Over the years, the service has evolved in line with changing needs and an increasing emphasis on an evidence basis for practice. This evolution will continue with coming innovations in healthcare delivery, but at the heart of the service will remain the principal consideration, namely the well-being of the child or young person.

Keywords: school health, school nurse, health promotion, adolescents, immunization, special educational needs

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