Nicky Hughes, RCN Wales Associate Director of Nursing (Employment Relations), said: “Many nurses will welcome the announcement that schools will fully reopen in September. We have been hearing that the COVID-19 lockdown has had a detrimental effect on the mental health of our children and young people as routines have been lost and they have been isolated from their peers. School nurses have important roles that contribute to the physical health and emotional well-being of school aged children and young people, their families and the wider community.
Allowing pupils to return to the structure of the classroom will go some way to bringing about the return of normality. Furthermore, this positive step will help to reduce the stress of those nurses who have had to juggle childcare arrangements and nursing responsibilities.
However, there will be nurses who have concerns about the safety of their children, particularly those with health issues and the sustainability of this situation should a second wave of COVID-19 hit. The appropriate risk assessments must be in place to limit the spread of COVID-19.”
