The Director of Public Health will submit Document “J” which provides information on the commissioning review of the School Nursing service. 

The report highlights the key findings from the review and provides an overview of the proposed service model.

Recommended –

(1) That the Committee consider the Business Case for the School Nursing Service and;

(i)   Provide any feedback and/or raise any queries or comments for clarity;

(ii)  Support Public Health to proceed with the development of the proposed service model and service specification/s, based on the high level service principles, and to procure the service through a competitive tender process. The length of the contract and the procurement approach and timescales will be agreed with the BMDC Commercial Team.

(Shirley Brierley/Linda Peacock – 01274 435316)

Please note that a combined debate was undertaken on this item and the item on 0-5 Health Visiting and Family Nurse Practitioner Service Review (Document “I”).

The Senior Commissioning Manager, Public Health, presented Document “I” and “J” and explained that comprehensive reviews had been undertaken on both services, which were crucial to safeguard the health of children.  The findings of the Health Visiting Service had indicated that overall it was a good service.  The District had a growing young population and the transition from the Family Nurse Partnership to Health Visiting Service was not always smooth.  It was noted that access to interpreters within services needed to be considered.  In relation to the Family Nurse Partnership Service, the Senior Commissioning Manager stated that it had been reviewed nationally and was a valuable service that improved parenting support.  The Council wished to continue with the Service, however, it would have to wait for the national recommendations to be published and consider these in light of the District’s needs.  Members were informed that a new Health Visiting and Family Nurse Partnership Service models had been proposed.

The Senior Commissioning Manager reported that a comprehensive study had been carried out for the School Nursing Service review.  The Service provided an important role in schools and safeguarding, which was based in schools and the local community.  It was a year round service and had links to primary and secondary care.  Members noted that a new service model had also been proposed.

Members then made the following comments:

·        Parents were best placed to be champions.

·        ‘Better Start Bradford’ provided packages.

·        Communication must be maintained with parents and children.

·        What type of work was being undertaken with people with Learning Disabilities?

·        What age range was covered by the Health Visiting Service?

·        Many children were home educated.  Did the service continue to work with them?

·        Could it be ensured that the access to a School Nurse was instant?  School nurses should be accessible.

·        How were children prepared for school?

·        Were the systems used by each service the same?  Were there separate systems for different Local Authorities and Districts?

·        Some safeguarding issues had been missed in the past.  How confident was the Service now?

·        Would the Health Visiting and School Nurse roles be integrated?

Members were informed that:

·        The resources required to progress issues would be considered.

·        The issue of communication had been identified during the consultation.  The role of the School Nurse was to work with people and there was no stigma attached to being helped by the Service.

·        The School Nurse Service was a specialist provision and had been reviewed with support from Clinical Commissioning Groups and other key stakeholders.

·        The Health Visiting Service covered children up to 5 years old.

·        Children that were being home educated were identified and it was ensured that they were visited.

·        The Health Visiting and School Nurse Services were based within the community and not in GP practices.  The School Nurse Service had their own appointment system.

·        The Health Visiting Service undertook reviews to ensure children were achieving key stage markers and were there to support and ensure that children were prepared for school.

·        The Services worked on the same systems and also used others, however, they often preferred to contact people by telephone.  Work was ongoing on an integrated system.

·        It was the intention of the Service to include children from birth up to 19 years of age, which should stop matters from being missed and issues would be dealt with via a joint approach.  The same provider was responsible for delivering both the Health Visiting and School Nurse Services and they provided a robust service with good links to children’s social care.   

·        The proposed new models had not been implemented as yet.  Other Authorities had been contacted and some provided an integrated service.  The duplication of effort also needed to cease.   

Resolved –

(1)       That the reports (Document “I” and “J”) be commended and officers thanked.

(2)       That the development of the proposed Health Visiting and Family Nurse Partnership and the School Nursing service models be supported.

(3)       That the issue of children’s health services be added to the Committee’s 2017/18 work programme.

Action: Director of Public Health