Accidents during school hours (minor and major)
Minor accidents such as cuts or grazes will be dealt with by the class teacher or school nurse and all incidents are reported to Principal/Deputy Principal.
In the event of serious injury the school nurse and Principal or Deputy Principal must be informed immediately and the emergency services called. Parents/guardians will be informed by telephone. Where possible the class teacher will accompany the pupil in the ambulance, to be relieved by parents/guardians if possible or other nominated person. An Incident Report will be compiled.
Criteria for return to school after illness
While we approve the ideals of patient confidentiality, our duty of care to our pupils, and our duty of reporting to the Health Services Executive in certain cases, calls for us to request parents/guardians to report serious illnesses, hospitalisations and infectious diseases to the school nurse or principal. In certain instances, a medical certificate confirming the individual’s fitness to return to school, may be required (for example following a serious infectious disease).
Illness requiring absenteeism
The school respectfully requests parents/guardians not to send a pupil to school if any of the following criteria apply:
· if the pupil is vomiting or has diarrhoea
· if s/he has a temperature of 38°C/101F or above
· if s/he has any communicable disease (eg chickenpox, measles, mumps, rubella, meningitis, hepatitis etc.)
· if s/he has a heavy cold or cough
· if the pupil is engaging in repeated or abnormal epileptic seizure activity
· during the first 48 hours of antibiotic treatment, or until temperature and/or signs of illness have gone.
Sickness during school hours
Commencement of a routine illness during school hours will be brought to the attention of the Principal and the School Nurse. Depending on the nature of the illness the pupil will either be made comfortable for the rest of the morning with the parents/guardians being informed by school diary, or the parents/guardians will be telephoned and asked to collect the pupil from school. The latter action will always apply if the school nurse decides the pupil is unfit to stay in school. An internal written report will be compiled in all cases. In the event of evidence of a serious illness, the procedure to be followed will be the same as that detailed below for serious injuries.
Healthcare
The school insists on the highest standards of healthcare and full co-operation from parents/guardians/carers is important. In this respect, all changes in pupils’ health, medical treatments, medications etc. should be reported in writing to the school nurse.
Personal Care
Having regard to the dignity and privacy of each and every pupil, the school adheres to strict healthcare guidelines on all matters of personal/intimate care.
Policies are in place and staff training is undertaken. Personal care needs of students are met by the Special Needs Assistants and Parents/Guardians are welcome to liaise with staff on all issues regarding personal care.
In particular it is suggested that parents and staff co-operate on skills to increase independence in self care such as toilet training.
Parents/Guardians are asked to supply the school with appropriate supplies of personal care materials (nappies, wipes, creams etc.) and each pupil’s class teacher will liaise with parents/guardians on requirements from time to time via the pupil’s home/school diary.
Medical Information – Medical Diary
Each pupil has a Medical Diary in which changes to any medication and ongoing information about medical conditions may also be recorded both by parents and by the school nurse. The nurse will correspond with parent/guardian by letter or the medical diary.
Daily Communication
The School Nurse will inform parents/guardians when any health issues arise and such letters are generally sent through the Administration App, Aladdin or Classroom communication, Seesaw. When necessary, the nurse will telephone parents directly, or if parents have specifically requested this. Parents/Guardians are welcome to contact the nurse via the school secretary if they wish to arrange a meeting or pass on any concerns/information they may have.
Medical Information
Upon enrolment, up to date medical information about each pupil (if applicable) is required, which needs to be provided by the pupil’s GP or Medical Consultant. Along with this information, a current medical prescription must be included and the school nurse requires an up-to-date GP’s prescription to administer any changes in medication.