Government funding for Ottawa Public Health (OPH) to employ more public health nurses in schools during the pandemic came to an end in June 2023 (as it did with all public health units across the province). RNAO has been vocal about keeping nurses in schools, and asked for the funding to become permanent (read more in the Fall 2020 issue of RNJ and in Doris’ COVID-19 Blog). Although further funding has not been announced, RNAO continues its advocacy on this issue. OPH is also continuing its focus on keeping schools healthy. The city will transition from more than 40 “school focused” nurses in 2022/23 to two nurses who will work across four school boards. Prior to the pandemic, the public health agency had 16 nurses. Esther Moghadam, chief nursing officer and director of health promotion at OPH, says she would like to return to those levels, “…but in a different way and, I am hoping, a better way.” OPH, Moghadam explains, will focus on providing students with in-school immunizations, dental screenings, infection prevention and control and mental health. It will also shift resources into wellness hubs in less advantaged neighbourhoods. OPH also plans to offer more digital health education and teacher-training sessions. “I don’t want people to think we are not in schools,” Moghadam reiterates. “We are still in schools.” (Ottawa Citizen, May 25)