GLASGOW’S school nursing service is facing £1.5million of cuts raising fears it could remove a safety net for some of the city’s most vulnerable children.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde say it is struggling to recruit and retain existing staff and is to carry out a four-month review of the role.

The board has suggested that voluntary groups or charities could replace staff. The four-month review will look at child protection as well as the emotional health and wellbeing of pupils.

NHSGGC said that attempts to recruit additional staff had been unsuccessful due to a shortage of suitably qualified staff and that staff had moved into other roles including new immunisation teams.

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The board said another driver for change was the fact that school nurses cannot be named persons in any future legislation.

However union leaders say school nurses provided essential support to some of the city’s most vulnerable young people and said NHSGGC’s plans are “out of step” with a national review which is looking into further investment of the role.

A government spokesman said school nurses made a “vital contribution” to the health and wellbeing of children and families and that it remained committed to the role.

Nurses carry out a range of tasks including training teachers on healthcare issues and supporting children with conditions such as asthma, diabetes or epilepsy.

Documents seen by the Evening Times state: “Colleagues are well aware of the challenges that we have been experiencing in retaining staff, within the school nursing service over the past few years.

“It is clear that the best way to meet the needs of this cohort does not need to be solely through school nurses.

“Recent experience, particularly in Glasgow schools, has been that third sector organisations, who may also bring additional matched funding, may have a significant role to play with this group of children and young people.

“Given the NHS Board’s financial position for 16/17 and beyond the review will be targeted on delivering a revised service removing £1.5m from the current cost base of c.£2.5m.”

A Unison spokesman said: “NHSGGC, having run down the school nursing service is now looking to cut £1.5m from the service.

“These nurses provide essential support in schools to some of our most vulnerable young people. Add to that there is a Scottish review of school nursing which is actually looking at how we can invest and do more with this staff group.

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“Once again, Glasgow’s desire to slash and burn community nurse services is out of step with the rest of the country.”

The board approved investment of £1.4m in health visitors and school nurses in 2013, which rose to £2.2m in 2014-15.

Despite a national recruitment process none of the additional school nursing band 6 posts were filled due to a national shortage of suitably qualified staff.

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “School nurses are valued members of the nursing workforce and we remain committed to their vital contribution to improving the health and wellbeing of children, young people and families.

“Work is underway nationally to review and refresh the role of schools nurses, as part of the Transforming Nursing Roles programmes, which is led by the Chief Nursing Officer.

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“NHS Dumfries & Galloway and NHS Tayside began testing the revised school nursing model in November 2015. This centres on school nurses leading on work with vulnerable families and children and families who have complex health needs.

“It is for NHS boards to plan and deliver services and ensure that they have the right mix of staff in place to provide safe and sustainable care to the patients of NHS Scotland.”