Dearne Valley students use on-line clinic to seek school nurse advice

Pupils from De Warenne Academy at Conisbrough and Sir Thomas Wharton Community College at Edlington can now log on to an e-clinic via their phone, laptop or tablet and talk to the nurse via instant messaging.

The system is being piloted for four weeks at the schools with e-clinics available Monday to Friday between 5pm and 7pm.

Mike Bell, one of the school nurses taking part in the project, said: “We will be visiting the schools and taking part in assemblies to show the young people how the e-clinic works. 

“Each appointment is 15 minutes long and the pupils can talk to us on a range of subjects such as bullying, sexual health or any worries about drugs.

“We will be able to answer their questions and discuss any problems or issues they have.

“If the young person needs any further help after the session we can arrange to meet them in school or, if the pupil wishes, continue talking to them via the e-clinic.

“It's another way of accessing a school nurse, besides coming to see us in school.

“By using the e-clinic it’s more private for the young person and a more confidential way of accessing our services.”

School nurse Kelly Thacker added: “The e-clinics are a direct response of feedback from young people saying that they want to access our service using technology.”