Canada Values Health - Dialogue on Health Care -

Where best to locate public health nurses

2009-03-13 14:09:10

A recent Toronto Star Article by Lorraine Sommerfield discusses how nurses can best serve the public.

The reality for most families is that both parents work and commute. There is no longer someone at home, and close to the school, to tend to an ill child if needed.

In the article Sommerfield wrote that "there are many kids without primary care physicians. There are many primary care physicians who are so stretched, getting an appointment can be a problem for something that needs immediate attention. Emergency rooms are not the place for most ailments. A school nurse could separate the wheeze from the chicken pox, decide what should be X-rayed, and be a confidential source of reliable information to teens."

Do you think nurses should be brought back into public schools? Where would they serve the public best?

Your responses
nurse practioners jwickstrom Posted: 2009-11-23 22:49:34 Absolutely a good idea. Nurses are sufficiently trained to handle all but the extreme crises and can recognize true illness in most instances. A full time nurse however would be problematic in that she might sit around all day. They should probably therefore be located in a small community clinic(s) with perhaps also a psychologist, and chiropractor to screen these children for less serious disorders before they are sent to the more expensive care, tests, and procedures. Same applies to the general population. In addition to the 24 hours medical clinics there should be 24 hour community clinics to save money. jw
Yes SD69 Posted: 2009-04-24 13:35:26 I say bring them back into the schools. Make sure they're well paid too - they deserve it!
School Nurse kmacrae Posted: 2009-03-19 07:49:26 Best to locate a PH nurse - in schools. Where to children spend most of the childhood life - in school.