TRADITIONAL school nurses are to be axed across Cumbria in a controversial move branded 'unsafe' and 'detrimental' to children by teachers.

Cumbria County Council chiefs say the service is no longer affordable in its current guise, blaming budget cuts for the changes to be rolled out on April 1.

Headteachers have been told they will have to 'buy back' any elements of the frontline service they need from a new brochure using money from their education budgets.

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A reduced team of six 'school aged health coordinators', based at the authority's £10.4 million headquarters in Carlisle, will instead provide only 'strategic' support for schools to include 'signposting' towards voluntary organisations that might provide help.

They will also provide some 'first aid' mental health training for teachers upon request.

Councillor Ian Stewart, CCC's public health and community services boss insisted the new model would result in an improved service.

"These changes will result in a broader and better service for children and young people and follow detailed consultation with provider organisations, partners, staff, parents and young people about the type of service they want.

“In particular, arrangements for safeguarding vulnerable children will be enhanced because there will be one named person working with each family on all health matters, and a strong focus will remain on the key priorities of promoting breastfeeding, tackling obesity, and supporting mental and emotional health and wellbeing."

Cllr Stewart added: “While the government has cut the budget for public health, the council continues to try to protect the service from the full impact of that cut, and through better integration of health, education and social care we can achieve these improvements for less cost.”

But headteachers across Barrow and Furness have reacted with horror at the changes they claim will directly impact upon children's health and education.

Caroline Walker, headteacher at Parkside GGI Academy, in Barrow, said the new model was not safe.

"It's putting children at risk.

"At risk in terms of health, because we can no longer refer them to a school nurse, but also in terms of their education because they can't learn properly if they have a health problem that is not being addressed."

Mrs Walker added: "We have been told to refer to our GPs, who are excellent in Barrow, but this will substantially increase the pressure on them."

Nancy McKinnell, headteacher from South Walney Primary School, said the situation would force schools to make 'hard choices' over how to use their already limited budgets.

Mrs McKinnell is now writing to the authority to outline the concerns from school staff across Barrow.

"We don't think this is a safe move.

"The school nursing service is very important and something that genuinely has the power to change children's lives.

"Schools budgets are already being cut and some are facing a deficit position as it is.

"Having to buy back services is going to force schools to make hard decisions in terms of spending."

The 'buy back' option for schools will be provided by the Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

The organisation, which provides mental health help across the county, will supply a brochure with a menu of services available and a price list for schools that have available funds.

However, CPFT claim the menu and costs are not yet finalised, despite the fact they are to be available in just six weeks time.

A spokesman for the organisation said: "CPFT is currently in the process of designing an offer for schools to purchase additional school nursing services to compliment the core offer.

"This is still under development, we will release further details about what it includes once finalised."

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