Published on 21 October 2022
Last updated on 21 October 2022
The purpose of the pilot is to put nursing supports in place to allow children with complex healthcare needs attend school.
The HSE Primary Care currently fund Pediatric Home Care Packages (PHCPs), through which preferred private healthcare providers deliver nursing care in the home environment to children with complex healthcare needs. Under a new Government pilot to support children with complex healthcare needs to attend school, it is proposed to extend the care hours delivered by PHCPs into the school setting, for those children already in receipt of 20 or more PHCP hours.
Many schools, in particular special schools, currently have nurses on site funded through a variety of arrangements. The pilot service will not displace existing nursing services or supports in schools.
The pilot will be led by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). The pilot is to be evaluated and the outcome will inform the provision of nursing support for students with complex healthcare needs into the future.
Further guidance for schools and parents on the pilot programme, can be found on the Department of Education and NCSE website.