Guidelines aim to bolster school healthcare
The introduction of new quality guidelines on school healthcare aim to improve service standards.
Drawn up by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities for local government decision-makers and school healthcare authorities, the guidelines seek to cut disparities between the standards of services from one locality to another.
In some areas health centres do not have enough nurses or doctors to handle school healthcare. The guidelines aim to redress this, and emphasise the need for more staff to ensure that school healthcare services are readily available for school pupils and their families. The health and welfare of pupils is to be monitored by physical examinations.
The guidelines also recommend close cooperation between parents and school healthcare personnel to ensure pupils' welfare and health.
Further information: Senior Officer Maire Kolimaa tel. +358 9 160 74138, +358 50 524 5256