Text-a-Nurse service has been launched to provide young people with a secure and confidential text messaging service to a school nurse for advice and support.
The service is aimed at 11 to 19 year olds and will be delivered by the School Nursing Teams. It is one of a range of resources to support the implementation of the Framework for Children and Young People’s Emotional Health and Wellbeing in Education.
This new scheme will allow young people to seek advice about sensitive health issues without a face to face appointment. School nurses will provide help on a range of issues including, emotional health and wellbeing , alcohol and drugs, sexual health, bullying and general health issues.
It is hoped that through this non-judgemental, confidential text service young people will be empowered to ask those questions that they otherwise wouldn’t have the confidence to ask.
A qualified school nurse will respond to the young people’s messages using the secure ChatHealth web platform. ChatHealth is an award winning service in the UK and is the first of its kind in Northern Ireland and will transform the way young people communicate with health professionals.
Text-a –Nurse is manned by a team of school nurses between the hours of 9am -5pm Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays).
They will respond to all messages within 24 hours Monday – Friday.
· Belfast Trust Text –A-Nurse Tel: 07507 328290
