Students to be allowed to text school nurses for appointments

A new government initiative is set to change the way in which students make appointments with school nurses, in order to make it easier for children to receive health support.

Under the plans, young people will be able send emails or text messages to nurses to book a visit, rather than having to relay messages via their teachers, a setup that is causing embarrassment for some pupils.

It is thought that this will help nurses to play an expanded role in students' lives, allowing them to offer guidance on issues such as obesity, drugs, alcohol and teen pregnancy.

Meanwhile, 300 schoolchildren across the country have also been selected as designated "school nurse champions" and will work with the Department of Health to devise new ways of expanding access to health advice.

Health secretary Andrew Lansley said: "School nurses are hugely important; they can give young people advice on all aspects of healthcare. We're going to work with school pupils to look at more innovative ways to get advice and support."

This comes after a new 22 million pound scheme was unveiled last month with the aim of offering better support for young people with mental health problems.