A survey of drinking and toilet facilities in local state schools

The public health role of the school nurse has been formalized recently in several documents. Within that role, they are charged with assessing and responding to health needs of the school-aged population. Children and young people are often accused of making unhealthy choices with regard to their fluid intake, however, there have been informal reports that it is difficult to access water in school. Also, with inclusion for all children high on the agenda, do schools have adequate toileting facilities for children with special needs? This survey used school nurses to assess the access to Midlands schools. It also assessed the cleanliness and facilities available for hand washing and other sanitary processes. It found that many schools are failing to provide the facilities they are expected to. Overcrowding and potentially insanitary conditions were found in a significant proportion of the schools surveyed. Drinking facilities and access was found to be poor. Recommendations are made to begin to address the problems seen here.