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/DJB
April 2016
Governor Accountability
Link Governor to boarding
Consultation Parameters
Link Governor to boarding,
Matrons, School Doctor
Date of latest version
April 2016
Date for next review
March 2019
(and cycle)
(and every 3 years)
Uploaded to Website
July 2016
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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)
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There are 6 staff members 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.
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•
The opening times are Monday to Friday: 8.30 – 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. arents are asked to sign to give consent for investigations and treatment to be
carried out at the school doctor's discretion.
2.2.3. 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. he 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 it should
extend to every visitor on site, within the boundaries of what is reasonable.
2.4.5. Contact Numbers
Matrons’ Office: 01952 386334
M a t r on ’ s
Mobile:07816365114
2.5. Children taken ill during the School day.
Outside of the school day, the Sick bay exists primarily as a provision for boarders.
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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 (if available), 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 ny 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 14176p.
2.7. Counselor
2.7.1. have a counselor who is independent from school who is able to provide
support.
2.7.2. he decision to call on this counselor is ultimately at the behest of the Deputy
Head - Pupil Welfare.
2.7.3. 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. 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
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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 together with medication administration.
4.0 First Aid
4.1 First Aid arrangements are in operation to ensure that all pupils, 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. Training
frequency, and updating qualifications is monitored jointly by the School Matron, the
Business Manager and Personnel.
4.4. First Aid Kits
4.4.1. he Matrons are responsible for checking and updating the contents of the
Schools’ first aid boxes.
4.4.2. First aid boxes are organized and packed in the Matrons’ Office
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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.
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5.0
Chronic Conditions and Disabilities.
5.1
The school Matrons 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. If their child suffers from a medical illness
that may require attention during the day, it is their obligation to supply it. We request
such information from boarders.
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 Matron team 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 the 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
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-
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
7.4.4
7.4.5
should not use an inhaler belonging to another pupil.
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.
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.
8.1 Management of medication, including household remedies
8.2
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.
8.2.1 This will be entered onto the database. Should a pupil refuse to take medication
school staff should not force them to do so.
8.2.2 The child’s parents should be informed as a matter of urgency.
8.2.3 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 to
boarders only. 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.
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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
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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
(preferably the parent) should accompany the child other than the car driver.
13.3 A member of staff should accompany a pupil taken by ambulance to hospital.
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