Chiefs urged to reinstate Knockevin school nurse

Chiefs urged to reinstate Knockevin school nurse

26 February 2025

HEALTH chiefs have been asked to overturn a “concerning” decision to withdraw an on-site children’s nurse from Knockevin Special School in Downpatrick.

The decision by the South Eastern Trust has been criticised by South Down MLA Cathy Mason.

She is urging health and education administrators to work together to reinstate the on-site nurse position not only at Knockevin, but at all special schools.

Mrs Mason revealed the withdrawal of dedicated support for children provided by on-site nurses has been paused at other special schools within the South Eastern Trust area by Stormont Health Minister Mike Nesbitt.

Mrs Mason, who is Sinn Fein’s Early Years spokeswoman, has raised the issue with both Mr Nesbitt, Education Minister Paul Givan and Stormont officials.

She said Knockevin, like all special schools, “needs and deserves” an on-site nurse to meet the complex health needs of its pupils.

“The decision to remove this service from Knockevin is concerning and unacceptable and places undue stress on the young people affected, as well as their parents and teachers,” said Mrs Mason.

She said comments from health officials at a Stormont committee meeting last week

Suggested that this change was made in collaboration with the school, but Mrs Mason insists this is not the case.

“Knockevin was not consulted when this decision was made,” the MLA declared.

Mrs Mason has called on the Departments of Education and Health to work with the South Eastern Trust to urgently restore the on-site nurse at the Downpatrick school and ensure an issue like this does not arise again. 

“These are the most vulnerable children in our society and should not have to fight for the support they need – they should receive it as a matter of course,” she continued.

Mrs Mason added: “On-site nurses are essential, not optional, and Sinn Féin will continue working with families, schools, and health workers to ensure every child receives the care they are entitled to.”

A spokesperson for the South Eastern Trust said the decision to remove the community children’s nurse from Knockevin’s Downpatrick site was taken two years ago after a “thorough analysis of the healthcare needs of children attending the school at that time”.

The spokesperson explained the analysis was shared with the school and it was concluded that the healthcare needs of the children could be met by appropriately trained classroom assistants. 

In addition, the spokesperson said most special schools in Northern Ireland do not have on-site community children’s nurses.

“The Public Health Agency is currently undertaking a comprehensive needs assessment to scope the complex healthcare needs of children attending schools in Northern Ireland. The Trust awaits the outcome of that review,” the spokesperson added.

The spokesperson also confirmed that its Executive Director of Nursing and the Department of Health’s Chief Nursing Officer have offered to meet with Knockevin’s principal while the Public Health Agency review is ongoing.