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Schools health project
07/10/2009
A project to tackle health inequalities in schools has been launched.
The Health and Wellbeing in Schools project aims to improve children's health, increase healthcare capacity in schools and reduce health inequalities.
Minister for Public Health Shona Robison today visited Belmont Academy in Ayr, one of four "demonstration sites" in Scotland.
A team of health workers provides healthcare, pre-literacy skills and emotional support to children at the school, its feeder primaries and their families.
The team consists of two school nurses, two support workers, a speech and language therapist and a mental health nurse.
Their work includes a healthy eating programme, running language groups and working with school staff to support young people who need extra support and guidance.
Ms Robison said: "I am delighted to launch this pioneering project and am confident it will have a very positive impact on the lives of the children involved and their families.
"It is a great example of how we are meeting our commitment to increase and improve the healthcare available to children in schools.
"Having a range of professionals involved in the project - nurses, support workers, teachers - means that a holistic approach can be taken to improving children's health and wellbeing.
"It is exactly this kind of approach that can narrow the inequalities gap and give our most vulnerable children the best start in life."
Councillor Hywel Davies from South Ayrshire Council added:
"South Ayrshire Council welcomes this joint initiative which supports the health and wellbeing of young people that is paramount to their development.
"Young people face enormous challenges in our ever changing world. By ensuring that they have easy access to a wide range of health services which can support their diverse needs, we are helping to equip young people now and in the future."
The Health and Wellbeing in Schools project was set up in response to the recommendations of Equally Well, the report of the Health Inequalities Task Force.
Belmont is one of four demonstration sites involved in the project. The other three are based in Clackmannanshire, Moray and Armadale in West Lothian.
As part of the project, 32,000 leaflets have been produced to inform pupils, parents and staff about its work. These will be distributed across the four demonstration sites.
Each demonstration site has different services in place tailored to the needs of the area.