Amanda Norman

The school nurse role is to be an advocate for the child

I was interested to read the news story (September 7) about independent school nurses being isolated and, in some cases, unable to protect children.

Protecting children from the effects of domestic violence

Further to the learning zone article on domestic violence (March 2), it is vital that we raise awareness among healthcare professionals of such abuse and that we support its victims.

Managers’ duty to monitor delivery of health education

As a school nurse team leader, I was interested to read the comment made by Alison Hadley (news March 23) that some school nurses are unsuitable to deliver sex and relationships education because of their judgemental attitudes.

Sleep problems in children and adolescentsGregory Stores Oxford University Press Sleep problems in children and adolescents 160pp £9.99 978 0 19 929614 9 9780199296149

Sleep dysfunction in children and adolescents can have a negative impact on their behaviour, learning and physical wellbeing. It can affect the entire family in terms of management, leading to much distress for everyone involved.

Safeguarding Children in Primary Health Care Julie Taylor Safeguarding Children in Primary Health Care and MarkusThemessl-Huber (Eds)Jessica Kingsley Publishers272pp£19.99978 1 84310 652 41843106523

Julie Taylor and Markus Themessl-Huber have compiled an in-depth exploration from a multidisciplinary perspective of the management of neglect and the physical, sexual and emotional abuse of children.

Changes in school nursing have to come from the top

In 2004, when the government pledged to have a full time, qualified school nurse per cluster of schools by 2010, it seemed that school nurses were finally going to achieve the recognition they deserve (editorial and news March 18). Making funding available to train more school nurses was a crucial part of this process.

Advice on meningitis was welcome and invaluable

As a school nurse and having experienced the trauma of one of my sons contracting bacterial meningitis at the age of three, I am only too aware of the need to keep the general public and healthcare professionals well informed about meningitis.

School nurse recruitment target will prove challenging

As a full-time school nurse, I cover seven schools and around 2,500 pupils. I surmise from the latest figures that this nurse-to-pupil ratio is mirrored countrywide (news September 16).

Abortion issue could affect traditional role of midwives

The ethical, moral, personal and professional dilemmas associated with whether or not specially trained nurses and midwives should be able to carry out surgical abortions during the first 13 weeks of pregnancy remain contentious (news October 22). This is equally applicable for early medical abortion.