Parents are left in ‘worrying limbo’ at withdrawal of nursing support

Parents are left in ‘worrying limbo’ at withdrawal of nursing support

29 October 2025

A LOCAL politician has claimed Stormont health minister Mike Nesbitt has left parents of children who attend Knockevin Special School in Downpatrick “in a worrying limbo” following the withdrawal of nursing support.

Strangford MLA Nick Mathison said the local school serves many families in the area and that following initial engagement with principals last year, he joined a a number of them for a meeting with Mr Nesbitt to discuss the withdrawal and planned withdrawal of nursing provision in special schools across Northern Ireland.

Following this engagement, the health minister commissioned a review that would inform understanding of the needs of children with complex medical needs in special schools.

However, Mr Mathison said the report has “failed to address the immediate issue” that has caused “significant unrest” for special school communities around the future of nursing provision of special schools.

“Both parents and principals have been left in limbo, with the future remaining uncertain,” he said. “This issue was first highlighted over a year ago and we remain without with any clarity.

“Whilst aspects of the report are encouraging, particularly the need to listen to lived experiences of children and young people and better cross-departmental collaboration between health and education, I’m incredibly concerned that the report’s admission that ‘a more comprehensive, multi-agency study will be necessary to fully explore the complexities and broader implications of this subject area,’ will add further delay to ensuring that children in special schools have access to care that meets their complex needs.”

Mr Mathison said it is “incredibly concerning” that only six families from two of the five health trust areas were interviewed on the issue.

“Given the seriousness of the issue, I would have hoped more effort would have been made to ensure a broad range of families were consulted,” he said.

The local MLA said “significant questions remain” regarding the future of nursing provision in special schools and he is now urging the health minister to provide “urgent clarity” on how he will address these.

Mr Mathison added: “This is an absolutely vital service which, at times, will provide life-saving interventions. That cannot be underestimated and full nursing provision is special schools must be reinstated as soon as possible.”