School Nurses: An investment with a lifetime of impact

APNA welcomes ACT Labor commitment to increased school nurse funding 

Media Statement: 26 July 2024

The Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) welcomes the commitment from the ACT Labor Government to increase access to nurses in ACT public secondary schools.

APNA looks forward to working with Labor to implement this increased investment in school nursing should they be re-elected to Government.

The power of a school nurse comes from seeing a student daily as part of the school community.  The impact of a school nurse is felt by both students and the broader school community by:

• Supporting parents and carers of students to navigate their child’s health challenges
• Supporting teachers with successful strategies to engage students with health issues

Modern school nurses regularly provide primary health care including:

• Preventative health interventions and support
• Mental health support including Psychosocial assessment and care
• Anaphylaxis and allergy education and management
• Care coordination
• Sexual and reproductive health care
• Diabetes education and management
• Injury assessment
• Medication administration, management and review
• Referrals to other practitioners
• Triage
• Wound care assessment and management

The effectiveness of school nurses is vastly increased when they are connected into the local health system. The commitment to planning this investment to align with the broader ACT health system is to be commended. 

About the Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA)

APNA represents over 98,000 primary health care nurses in Australia working outside of hospitals, including those employed in general practice, schools, aged care facilities, correctional facilities and in wider community settings.

Media contact: Ken Griffin 0405 174 514