Adams Grammar School Care of Boarders/Day Pupils who are sick (Day and Boarding) Monitoring Frame of engagement Date Member of Staff Responsible MW-S October 29 th 2013 Governor Accountability Consultation Parameters Link Governor to boarding Link Governor to boarding, Matrons, School Doctor Date of latest version December 2013 Date for next review (and cycle) July 2014 (and every 3 years) Uploaded to Website January 2014 1
1. Introduction This policy has been written in line with Standard 3.1 5, (Boarders Health & Wellbeing) of the National Minimum Standards (NMS) for Boarding Schools. 1.1. The school implements appropriate policies for the care of boarders who are unwell. These include first aid, care of those with chronic conditions and disabilities, dealing with medical emergencies and the use of household remedies. 1.2. Accommodation for boarders who are unwell is adequately staffed by appropriately qualified personnel. It is adequately separated from other boarders and provides separate accommodation for male and female boarders where this is necessary. 1.3. In addition to any provision on site, boarders have access to local medical, dental, optometric and other specialist services or provision as necessary. 3.4. Prescribed medicines are given only to the boarder to whom they are prescribed. Boarders allowed to self- medicate are assessed as sufficiently responsible to do so. 1.4. The confidentiality and rights of boarders as patients are appropriately respected. This includes the right of a boarder deemed to be Gillick Competent to give or withhold consent for his/her own treatment. (Gillick competence is used in medical law to decide whether a child (16 years or younger) is able to consent to his or her own medical treatment, without the need for parental permission or knowledge. A child will be Gillick competent if he or she has sufficient understanding and intelligence to understand fully what is proposed). 2. Procedures. 2.1. Matrons Office (Sick Bay on main school site) There are 6 qualified matrons at the Matrons Office who, between them, provide 24 hours cover per day for 7 days a week. Overnight accommodation. Matrons Office is located adjacent to Senior Boarding. 2
The opening times are Monday to Friday: 8.15 10 p.m. 2.2. Health Checks 2.2.1. On admission boarders' parents are asked to complete a questionnaire about the pupil s past medical history. 2.2.2. Parents are asked to sign to give consent for investigations and treatment to be carried out at the school doctor's discretion. 2.2.3. All boarders have a health check on admission to the school. This is carried out by the school doctor or a member of his team. 2.3. Appointments 2.3.1. If you need to see a doctor, dentist or optician a matron will make an appointment for a boarder. 2.3.2. The Doctor is in school every Wednesday at 8 a.m. 2.3.3. If a pupil needs to see a Doctor at another time an appointment can be made at the local surgery and the boarder will be accompanied by a matron, or appropriate deputy. 2.4. Contacting the Matrons 2.4.1. During term time there is always a matron on duty. 2.4.2. The matron might not be in the Matrons Office at all times, but will always have a mobile telephone with her. Contact numbers are given below. 2.4.3. In the event of serious illness or accident Matron may be called to come to the pupil or member of staff. 2.4.4. Our duty of care is only required to be for our pupils, although we believe it should extend to every visitor on site, within the boundaries what is reasonable. 2.4.5. Contact Numbers Matrons Office: 01952 386334 Mobile: 07816 365114 2.5. Children taken ill during the School day. Outside of the school day, the Sick bay exists primarily as a provision for boarders. 3
a) Wherever possible the duty matron will look to accommodate day pupils who are unwell, but it must be understood that the priority is the boarding community. b) Within this understanding, there is the recognition that day pupils who are unwell, and are awaiting collection by their parents/ carers, (or some other suitable arrangement,) should be cared for in Sick bay, as the best means of providing for their well-being. The actual practicality of this should be agreed between the duty matron and the parents/ carers. c) In the event of a conflict of interests, the advice of the Deputy Head (Pupil Welfare) should be sought. 2.6 The Procedure concerning unwell pupils accommodated in Sick Bay. 2.6.1 Any boarder who is unwell and needs to be accommodated overnight will be housed in the Sick Bay in Senior Boarding. Where possible, the parent/guardian will be asked to take the boarder home. 2.6.2 The matron staying overnight will be accommodated in the upstairs flat joined to sick bay. (The senior boarding tutor will move out for the duration of this necessity.) 2.6.3 Junior boarders should not be moved from Longford to the school site, but rather should be accommodated in Senior boarding during the period of illness. In the event of a matron needing to stay overnight with sick boarders, this role will be fulfilled by the Senior Boarding matron, who can be contacted on 07968 14176. 2.7. Counselor 2.7.1. We have a counselor who is independent from school who is able to provide support. 2.7.2. The decision to call on this counselor is ultimately at the behest of the Deputy Head - Pupil Welfare. 2.7.3. If a pupil would like to see the counselor, they may raise the issue with any member of staff, who should refer them to the Deputy Head. 2.7.4. This is confidential within the requirements of the Law. 3.0 Records 3.1. Records are kept of any medication or treatment administered to a pupil whilst 4
under the care of the school. 3.2 Records are kept of all major accidents in the accident books. Major and minor accidents and illnesses are recorded on the pupils health record card together with the medication administration. 4.0 First Aid 4.1 First Aid arrangements are in operation to ensure that all pupils, members of staff and visitors will receive immediate First Aid in the event of an accident, no matter how minor or major. 4.2 The aims of First Aid are to provide treatment for the purposes of preserving life prevent the situation from worsening promote recovery 4.3. The school has qualified first aiders together with the qualified nurses. The Health and Safety Officer (Business Manager) ensures that initial/repeat training is given as required. 4.4. First Aid Kits 4.4.1. The Matrons are responsible for checking and updating the contents of the Schools first aid boxes. 4.4.2. First aid boxes are situated in: Each First Aid box has a standard kit plus any additional contents required according to their location. The boxed are kept in locked cabinets, such as in the matron s office. Each box is checked every half term. the school nurses are responsible for insuring that kits are fully stocked. A check list of checks is kept in Matron s office. First aid kits should be taken on school trips and to sport s matches. The bags with these kits are kept with the matron or with the sport s teachers. 4.5. Controlled drugs All controlled drugs are kept in a locked safe. The key is with the duty matron. 5.0 Chronic Conditions and Disabilities. 5
5.1 The school nurses will maintain and review a set of guidelines for the effective management of the following conditions; Asthma, Epilepsy, Diabetes and Anaphylaxis. On entry to School parents must complete and submit a form detailing any particular health problems, which their child may have. 5.2 A list of children with medical needs will be maintained by the Senior Matron on the database, and issued periodically, or when there are changes required. Individual Education Plan affected by health will be written by the Head of house with input from the Matrons Office. 6.0 Pupils with Diabetes 6.1 Pupils with diabetes must be allowed to eat regularly during the day. Snacks may be taken prior to exercise. Glucose tablets should be available along with a sugary drink to deal with a fall in blood sugar level. Blood sugar level may need to be monitored at regular intervals. Symptoms of children suffering hypoglycemic reaction are as follows: hunger sweating drowsiness pallor glazed eyes shaking lack of concentration irritability 6.2 If a pupil has a hypo, a fast acting sugar should be given e.g. glucose tablets, a glucose rich gel, a sugary drink or chocolate bar. 6.3 If the pupil s recovery takes longer than 15 minutes an ambulance should be called. 7.0 Pupils with Anaphylaxis (Extreme Allergic Reaction) 7.1 The child should have available at all times, a device for injecting adrenaline. This will be pre loaded with the correct dose and will be injected into the fleshy part of the thigh. Injection should not be undertaken by anyone other than the Nursing Sister unless that person has received training from a professional. The pupil may carry his/her own medication otherwise this should be kept in an accessible place. 7.2 Care should be taken at lunch times and on all school trips that he child is not exposed to the cause of the reaction. 7.3 If in doubt call an ambulance. 7.4 Reactions to look out for: 7.4.1 Children with Asthma - A metallic taste or itching in the mouth Swelling of face, throat, tongue, lips Difficulty in swallowing Flushed complexion 7.4.2 Abdominal cramps - A rise in heart rate Collapse or unconsciousness Wheezing or breathing difficulties 7.4.3 When old enough children should take charge of their own inhaler, carrying them with them. They should be available during physical education and also should be taken on trips. A pupil 6
should not use an inhaler belonging to another pupil. 7.4.4 In the case of a child suffering an asthma attack, the inhaler should be used immediately. The child should breathe slowly and deeply. They should sit rather than lie. The person in charge should not put his/her arm around the pupil as this may restrict breathing. 7.4.5 If medication has had no effect after 5 10 minutes or if the pupil is unable to talk or is becoming exhausted medical advice must be sought and/or an ambulance called. 8.0 Management of medication, including household remedies 8.1 Matron will administer over-the-counter medications and prescribed medications to the named individual. Medications are kept in a locked cabinet in the treatment in the Matrons Office. 8.2 The procedure for giving medication. 8.2.1 The duty matron lease insert below 8.2.2 The procedure is outlined below in 8.2.iii v. 8.2.3 This will be entered onto the database. Should a pupil refuse to take medication school staff should not force them to do so. 8.2.4 The child s parents should be informed as a matter of urgency. 8.2.5 Records of all children given medicine, and refusing medicine (including refusing counseling) should be kept. 8.3 Asthma Inhalers should be accessible to pupils and not locked away. 8.4 Homely Remedy Protocol - The following medications may be administered by boarding staff. The medication and doses are agreed by the school Doctor. Paracetamol For pain relief or fever - Age 9-12 years 500mg repeated 4-6 hourly, with a maximum of four doses in 24 hours. - Age 12+ 1g repeated 4-6 hourly, with a maximum of four doses in 24 hours. Strepsils - For sore throats Dissolve 1 lozenger in mouth every 3 hours. Maximum 12 in 24 hours. Rennies - For indigestion relief, heartburn and associated stomach upsets. - 1 tablet to be sucked or chewed. Maximum 16 tablets in 24 hours. Anthisan Cream - Relief from pain inflammation and itching from insect bites, stings and nettle rash. Applied to direct problem area 2-3 times daily. Plasters, bandages and stericlens wound cleanser are also supplied. 7
9.0 Storage of Medicines by the boarding house staff 9.1 It is the responsibility of the Matron to ensure that all medications are stored within the medicine cabinets provided and must be securely locked when unattended. 9.2 A list of all medications stored should be kept. It is the responsibility of the school matrons to carry out checks every term. A copy of this checklist should be kept by the matrons in the Matrons Office. 9.3 Medication may be given to a boarder to self-medicate at an appropriate time i.e. bedtime. It is only given in cases where the pupil has an understanding of why to take it and the benefits of taking it at an appropriate time. 10.0 School Trips 10.1 A first aid box should always be taken on School outings. 10.2 Children who have asthma should take their inhalers with them. 10.3 In the case of a child with a severe allergy condition their medication, including adrenaline in case of emergency should be with them at all times. A member of staff accompanying the child should know how to administer the adrenaline if required. 10.4 Diabetic children should take a blood glucose monitor, insulin and form of fast acting sugar with them. 11.0 Hygiene 11.1 Protective disposable gloves are available in the Matrons Office. These should be used when staff are dealing with spillages of blood or other body fluids. It is essential that spillages of bodily fluids are dealt with quickly and safely, ensuring that measures are taken to prevent other from exposed to the potentially harmful fluids and to minimise the spread of the infection. 11.2 Anything which has been used to clean up blood or a wound should be placed in a plastic bag and disposed of in the appropriate bin. 11.3 In line with the guidance from Health Protection Agency pupils suffering from diarrhoea will be asked not to return to school until 48 hours from the last episode of diarrhoea. 12.0 Confidentiality 12.1 Pupils should be aware that they can discuss any matter with the School Matrons or GP in complete confidence. 12.2 Any breach of that confidence would be discussed with the pupil first and only if 8
it was thought that the health of other pupils in the school was at risk, or that it was in the pupils own interest to share the information. 13.0 Emergency Procedure 13.1 The School Matron should be called. 13.2 Should it be necessary for a child to be taken to hospital a second adult should accompany the child other than the car driver. 13.3 A member of staff should accompany a pupil taken by ambulance to hospital. 9