School nurses missing as Spain starts new term

Spain’s new school year begins without the school nurse in every centre demanded by families, pupils and staff. In Madrid on 7 September, the nursing union SATSE accused the regional health and education authorities of again failing to fund the posts.

SATSE also attacked a system used in some autonomous communities in which a nurse based at a health centre calls at several schools from time to time. The union says this stopgap arrangement cannot deliver ongoing care or allow nurses’ work to be properly organised.

A permanent link to health services

SATSE wants nurses to work permanently in schools while remaining part of primary-care teams. It says they could provide direct support at the school and connect it with the wider health service.

The union says successive studies, reports and surveys point to increasing health problems among children and young people, with mental health a particular concern.

Union says funding is available

Spain’s autonomous communities spend an average of more than €8,000 million each year on education and health, SATSE says. It argues that this leaves enough money to recruit school nurses.

SATSE also says the Ministry of Education left school nurses out of its new anti-bullying guide. It further criticises the limited role given to them in plans for a network of health-promoting schools across all autonomous communities.

Topics: Jobs & labour · Education · Health · Politics

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com