A scheme for putting nurses in classrooms to check for early signs of rheumatic fever has the support of health researchers.
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A report published today in the Medical Journal said having the nurses there had led to an exceptionally high uptake of treatment.
Nurses working in 61 primary and intermediate schools in Counties Manukau have been checking for sore throats and other problems such as skin infections.
The scheme, which is funded by the district health board, costs $280 per child each year.
A researcher and public health physician with the board Pip Anderson said it made sense to have medical services in a school, where children and families go every day.