Attending the SAPHNA conference at Anglia Ruskin University in Chelmsford was a powerful reminder of the dedication behind school nursing. Throughout the day, we spoke with nurses, managers and public health teams who support children through screenings, assessments, safeguarding and early intervention. One message came through clearly in almost every conversation: school nursing plays a vital role in children’s health, but outdated processes often make that work harder than it needs to be.

Many teams described workflows that still rely heavily on paper and spreadsheets. Information is recorded once, then typed up again later, sometimes more than once. Time that should be spent with children is instead lost to administration, adding pressure to services that are already stretched.

Several key challenges came up repeatedly during conversations at the conference:

• Screening results, questionnaires and notes are often recorded on paper or basic spreadsheets

• Data has to be re entered into multiple systems, increasing admin time

• Handwritten results and duplicated entry increase the risk of errors

• Important information can be missed when systems are not connected

• Delays occur when follow up depends on manual data entry and letter writing

What stood out most was how much school nurses care about accuracy, safety and timely support for every child. Manual systems make this harder, not easier. When information is scattered or delayed, it can affect how quickly children receive the help they need.

This is exactly where digital support can make a real difference. Digital pathways are not just about efficiency. They help ensure children receive timely, appropriate care and allow professionals to focus on meaningful clinical work. Good digital tools should reduce friction, simplify workflows and give teams confidence in their data.

Throughout the day, we spoke about how platforms like SchoolScreener can help address the barriers teams described. Capturing results once, automating letters and referrals, and providing real time dashboards all help reduce admin and improve visibility. When information sits in one secure place, services can plan better and intervene earlier for children who need follow up.

School nurses want systems that genuinely support their practice, not tools that add more work. SchoolScreener was designed with clinicians to make day to day work smoother and to help ensure children are not left waiting because paperwork is still being processed.

Leaving SAPHNA, we felt encouraged. There is a strong appetite for change and a shared understanding that digital tools can protect precious clinical time. Behind every dataset is a real child, and behind every programme is a team doing their best under increasing pressure. Reducing even a small part of that burden can have a meaningful impact on children’s health outcomes.

To everyone who spoke with us on the day, thank you. Your openness and commitment to improving children’s health are what drive better digital solutions forward. If you would like to continue the conversation about how SchoolScreener can support your service, we are always here to help.