TWO nurses will take part in a ground-breaking project to improve primary school pupils’ health and boost attendance.

Lynne Holden and Vicky Saunders have been appointed as liaison nurses for 14 schools in Clacton, Jaywick and St Osyth.

The initiative, thought to be the first of its type in the country, is aimed at reducing unneeded trips to GPs and hospitals and school absences through minor illness, which in Tendring are the highest in the county.

Helen Kershaw, assistant director for children at NHS North Essex, said: “The creation of these posts is an exciting and innovative development and an opportunity to promote better health while improving attendance. Lynne and Vicky will be available to assess children for general health and well-being at drop-in clinics within schools and can offer telephone advice on basic conditions, such as fever, asthma, earache, rashes, colds, stomach ache, toothache, head lice and allergies.

“If parents are unsure whether to send their child to school, they can phone or make an appointment to see one of the nurses.”

The year-long posts have been jointly funded by NHS North Essex and Tendring South Local Delivery Group, which is a partnership of the 14 schools.

Mrs Holden, who has worked in children’s services for nine years, said: “I am passionate that early intervention, using my nursing skills, will improve the health and emotional well-being of our schoolchildren and encourage 100 per cent school attendance.

“I enjoy working with families and children and hope our input will enable them to make right choices and decisions regarding health and education.”

Sharon Sciachettano, headteacher at Holland Haven Primary School, and chairman of the schools’ group, said: “We aim to provide information for parents and training for school staff to tackle frequent absence from school for minor complaints. It is wonderful to have two liaison nurses working alongside us.”