by Our News Desk

CHILDREN face an “escalating health crisis” and are more likely to become obese due to a lack of school nurses, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) will say today.

The union argues that school nurses are key to improving children’s health, particularly with regard to obesity, as one in three British children is overweight and one in five is classed as obese.

A government report has shown that five more children under 14 die every day in Britain than in Sweden, even as England faces a £200 million cut to the public health budget.

The RCN will hear from experts at its school nurses conference today.

“School nurses play a critical role in the health of our children yet their work is so often overlooked — and undervalued,” said RCN lead for children and young people Fiona Smith.

“Today’s conference illustrates the wide range of issues school nurses tackle on a daily basis, from conditions such as epilepsy to behavioural disorders like ADHD. They are talented, multiskilled nursing staff who deserve immense recognition.”

But local authorities in London, Staffordshire, Middlesbrough and Derbyshire are already considering cuts to school nurse funding to plug gaps in other areas of public health, the RCN said.

As the number of school pupils steadily grows, figures have shown a fall in school nurses since 2010.

“Investment is fundamental if we are to begin solving this crisis in children’s health and build a healthy and prosperous future population,” said Ms Smith.

Health Education England has predicted a 24 per cent vacancy rate in this area of nursing.