FIRST AID POLICY

To be adopted fully by the Belham LGB, Autumn 2015

STATEMENT OF INTENT

The Belham Primary School is conscious of its obligations under the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations, 1981 and guidance from the Department of Education and the Local Authority to provide adequate and appropriate first aid facilities and personnel for members of staff, pupils and visitors. As a result, this policy has been drawn up to give details of the first aid arrangements which have been made in the school.

PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF FIRST AID

First Aid is the skilled application of accepted principles of treatment on the occurrence of any injury or sudden illness, using facilities or materials available at the time. It is the approved method of treating a casualty until placed, if necessary, in the care of the doctor or removed to hospital. First aid treatment is given to a casualty to preserve life, to prevent the condition worsening and to promote recovery.

FIRST AID ARRANGEMENTS

We have trained 5 members of staff in Paediatric First Aid (fully certified). This is considered to be appropriate for the risks and numbers of persons present. All first training is repeated every 3 years to maintain competence.

Please refer to the CPD training log for details of the latest training undertaken.

First aid boxes stocked with the recommended contents are located in every classroom and in the school office. We also have mobile first aid kits to take out on school trips and visits. The school administrator is responsible for checking the contents on a monthly basis and ensuring that any deficiencies are replaced. All employees should familiarise themselves with the location of the first aid boxes so that in the event of an injury or acute illness they can be located quickly.

Employees should administer first aid treatment in accordance with their levels of training and competence, and always err on the side of caution by referring pupils for further medical attention as set out below, or when in doubt. All accidents or injuries are recorded in the Accident Form (Appendix A)

HEAD INJURIES

Head injuries can easily be underrated. Any significant knock to the head which shows signs of swelling, grazing, crushing, or which changes the behaviour of the pupil should be referred immediately for further medical attention. Slight knocks to pupils who have had previous head injuries could be serious and these should also be referred immediately for further medical attention. Parents are to be contacted immediately where further medical attention is necessary and informed by phone of any non-significant head bumps which show no signs or only slight reddening.

OTHER INJURIES

Broken bones may sometimes not be obvious in children. Any injury which results in continued pain or changed mobility should be referred immediately for further medical attention.

MEDICINES AND INFECTION CONTROL

Pupils who are unwell with an infectious disease should not be at school and should be kept away until they recover, or no longer pose a risk of infection to others. The recommended periods of exclusion should be in accordance with the Department of Health Guidelines – Appendix B. The storage and provision arrangements for pupils’ medications are in accordance with manufacturers and medical recommendations and in line with the school’s medications policy.

INJURY REPORTING

Minor injuries to pupils will be recorded by the class teacher on Scholarpack. Minor accidents to staff and visitors will be recorded in the Accident book, which will kept in the School Office.

The School Business Manager is responsible for telephoning the HSE Incident Contact Centre (ICC: 0845 300 9923) in the event of ‘major’ and ‘over 3 day’ absence injuries as required by the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995.

‘Major’ injuries to pupils and visitors are those which require them being taken directly to hospital. This only applies to injuries which arise in connection with work, either through a premises fault or through work organisation, such as lack of care. Accidents arising out of curriculum sporting activities, requiring hospital treatment, are reportable. Injuries which arise from play activities or health conditions are not reportable, unless these happen in connection with work, or as a result of work activities.

‘Major’ injuries to employees are basically any break of the large bones or any injury which requires hospitalisation for more than 24 hours.

‘Over 3 day’ absence injuries to employees does not count the day of the injury but every day after when they were unable to carry out their normal duties is counted, irrespective of weekends, holidays etc.

The School Business Manager is responsible for notifying the school’s insurers of all ‘Major’ and ‘Over 3 day’ injuries.

PROCEDURE FOR MINOR ACCIDENTS

Minor accidents in the playground

  • At every play or lunch time, one member of staff is designated to deal with minor injuries
  • Minor abrasions, cuts, bumps and bruises should be dealt with immediately
  • Only cold water is applied to minor injuries
  • The cause of the injury should be ascertained and incidents investigated at the time
  • All bumps to the head are recorded on Scholarpack, and the parent is contacted by phone.
  • All injuries to the face should be reported by phone to the parent before the child goes home
  • If any member of staff is uncertain about the seriousness of the injury, he/she should refer to a trained first aider

Minor accidents in class

  • These should be dealt with immediately by the class teacher or TA using the first aid kit in the classroom
  • Whenever a child receives a bump to the head, parents are phoned
  • All injuries to the face should be reported by phone to the parent before the child goes home
  • If any member of staff is uncertain about the seriousness of the injury, he/she should refer to a trained first aider

Injuries requiring further treatment

  • Whenever a child is hurt, top priority should be given to the safety, treatment and comfort of the child. A qualified first aider should be sent for immediately and a quick decision made about the appropriate course of action. An adult should stay with the child, giving basic first aid and comfort. In an emergency an ambulance should be called and a school adult designated to go with the child to hospital. The parents should be contacted and asked to go to A & E.
  • If the injury is not an emergency but hospital treatment is required, an attempt should be made to contact the parent and arrange to meet them in hospital or arrange for them to come to the school to collect the child themselves. If the parent cannot be contacted, the school should make immediate arrangements to take the child to A & E.
  • The Head Teacher should establish how the injury happened and take any appropriate action to reduce the risk of it recurring. The Head Teacher should contact the parents/carers to explain how the injury occurred, outlining any action taken to prevent a recurrence.

MEDICATIONS PROCEDURES FOR SUPPORTING PUPILS WITH MEDICAL NEEDS

The purpose of the procedures listed below is to clarify the systems and procedures that the school has adopted in order to support pupils with medical needs and to enable, as far as possible, regular school attendance. It also clarifies the responsibilities of the Governors, Head teacher and staff, and the school’s expectation of the parents of pupils with medical needs.

Most pupils will at some time have a medical condition that may affect their attendance or their participation in school activities. For most this will be short term. Other pupils have longer term medical conditions that could limit their access to education. Such pupils are regarded as having medical needs.

From time to time, most pupils experience illness which renders them too unwell to attend school. When children are feeling poorly, they need the support and comfort of their own home and attention from their parent or carer and, if necessary their GP.

When determining whether a child is well enough to return to school, parents should take into account their likely ability to cope with outdoor playtimes and the broader curriculum, including PE.

Medication for short term illness

When the prescription stipulates medication 3 times daily, the medicine should be given at home, before and after school and at bed time. If the prescription specifically requires medication to be given during the school day (4 times daily) and if the child is otherwise fit to return to school, the parent should liaise with the office to complete the administering medicine forms (Appendix C). Only once these are signed by the Head teacher and the parent can the medicine be administered. Parents are asked not to send medicines to school or instruct pupils to take medicine for short term illnesses themselves while at school.

Pupils who become ill at school

If pupils become ill at school, a member of staff will contact a parent or carer by phone to arrange for the child to be collected from school. The member of staff will register the illness on Scholarpack. Pupils are not given non-prescription medicines (e.g. analgesics) by school staff at school. Parents should not send such medicines in to school, or ask school staff to administer them, or instruct pupils to take such medicines themselves while at school.

Accidents at school

If a child is injured at school, staff will administer basic first aid. No topical creams or remedies will be applied and no analgesics given. If hospital treatment is deemed necessary this will be arranged immediately, with a member of staff accompanying the child in the ambulance. Parents will be contacted as soon as possible.

Pupils with long term medical needs

Some pupils have longer term medical needs. In order for them to attend school and access the curriculum, special arrangements are made. In deciding these arrangements, the school takes account of the needs of the child, the safety of other pupils and what constitutes reasonable requirements of school staff.

  • Pupils with asthma – With their class teacher, pupils identify an accessible place for their inhalers to be kept. It is the responsibility of the parent to ensure that asthma inhalers are up to date and clearly labelled with the child’s name and instructions
  • Pupils who need to take long term medication – parents of pupils who need regular medication during the school day will agree a Personal Care plan with their teacher. The exact arrangements vary from child to child and are agreed with the school. There are school procedures for staff to supervise the child while he/she takes the medicine, and for a member of staff to sign a register to confirm that this has happened (Appendix C)

ANAPHYLACTIC SHOCK

Pupils with severe allergies may go in to Anaphylactic Shock if they come into contact with certain foods or substances. If a pupil has been identified as having this condition, the parents meet with their class teacher and agree a Personal Care Plan for their particular circumstances.

A large number of staff have been trained in recognising the symptoms of Anaphylactic Shock and the emergency procedures for dealing with it, including administering an epi-pen of adrenalin.

Each child’s needs are registered on Scholarpack so that all the relevant staff are aware of each child’s needs.

STORAGE OF MEDICATION

All medication for pupils with long term medical needs is stored in boxes in the school office. Each box is clearly labelled with the medication needs and dosages. It is the responsibility of the parent or carer to ensure that all medicine is up to date and clearly labelled.

SCHOOL TRIPS

Parents and pupils are reminded to make arrangements for medications needed during school trips, and emergency medication is on the checklist for teachers when preparing for an outing.

USEFUL WEBSITES

Staff are advised to refer to useful websites for further information:

Appendix A – Accident Form

ACCIDENT FORM
Date: ______Name: ______Class: ______

Brief Description of Accident: ______

Treatment: *Cold compress *Cleaned *Plaster applied *Comfort & rest *Drink of water *Observed *Sent home * Other - please state:
Part of Body injured (Left or Right)
Abdomen / Face / Chest / Hand / Leg / Shoulder
Ankle / Finger / Ear / Head / Mouth / Teeth
Back / Foot / Elbow / Knee / Nose / Wrist
Other:

Headnote needed: Yes/No Phone call home: Yes/No First aider name: ______

Appendix B : Guidance on infection control in schools and nurseries (Department of Health)

  1. Rashes and skin infections

Children with rashes should be considered infectious and assessed by their doctor.
Infection or complaint / Recommended period to be kept away from school, nursery or childminders / Comments
Athlete’s foot / None / Athlete’s foot is not a serious condition. Treatment is recommended
Chickenpox / Until all vesicles have crusted over / See: Vulnerable Children and Female Staff – Pregnancy
Cold sores, (Herpes simplex) / None / Avoid kissing and contact with the sores. Cold sores are generally mild and self-limiting
German measles (rubella)* / Four days from onset of rash (as per “Green Book”) / Preventable by immunisation (MMR x2 doses). See: Female Staff – Pregnancy
Hand, foot and mouth / None / Contact your local HPT if a large number of children are affected. Exclusion may be considered in some circumstances
Impetigo / Until lesions are crusted and healed, or 48 hours after starting antibiotic treatment / Antibiotic treatment speeds healing and reduces the infectious period
Measles* / Four days from onset of rash / Preventable by vaccination (MMR x2). See: Vulnerable Children and Female Staff – Pregnancy
Molluscum contagiosum / None / A self-limiting condition
Ringworm / Exclusion not usually required / Treatment is required
Roseola (infantum) / None / None
Scabies / Child can return after first treatment / Household and close contacts require treatment
Scarlet fever* / Child can return 24 hours after starting appropriate antibiotic treatment / Antibiotic treatment is recommended for the affected child
Slapped cheek/fifth disease. Parvovirus B19 / None (once rash has developed) / See: Vulnerable Children and Female Staff – Pregnancy
Shingles / Exclude only if rash is weeping and cannot be covered / Can cause chickenpox in those who are not immune, ie have not had chickenpox. It is spread by very close contact and touch. If further information is required, contact your local PHE centre. See: Vulnerable Children and Female Staff – Pregnancy
Warts and verrucae / None / Verrucae should be covered in swimming pools, gymnasiums and changing rooms
Infection or complaint / Recommended period to be kept away from school, nursery or childminders / Comments
Diarrhoea and/or vomiting 48 hours from / last episode
E. coli O157 VTEC Typhoid* [and paratyphoid*] (enteric fever) Shigella (dysentery) / Should be excluded for 48 hours from the last episode of diarrhoea. Further exclusion may be required for some children until they are no longer excreting / Further exclusion is required for children aged five years or younger and those who have difficulty in adhering to hygiene practices.
Children in these categories should be excluded until there is evidence of microbiological clearance. This guidance may also apply to some contacts who may also require microbiological clearance. Please consult your local PHE centre for further advice
Cryptosporidiosis / Exclude for 48 hours from the last episode of diarrhoea / Exclusion from swimming is advisable for two weeks after the diarrhoea has settled
  1. Respiratory Infections

Infection or complaint / Recommended period to be kept away from school, nursery or childminders / Comments
Flu (influenza) / Until recovered / See: Vulnerable Children
Tuberculosis* / Always consult your local PHE centre / Requires prolonged close contact for spread
Whooping cough* (pertussis) / Five days from starting antibiotic treatment, or 21 days from onset of illness if no antibiotic treatment / Preventable by vaccination. After treatment, non-infectious coughing may continue for many weeks. Your local PHE centre will organise any contact tracing necessary
  1. Other infections

Infection or complaint / Recommended period to be kept away from school, nursery or child minders / Comments
Conjunctivitis / None / If an outbreak/cluster occurs, consult your local PHE centre
Diphtheria * / Exclusion is essential. Always consult with your local HPT / Family contacts must be excluded until cleared to return by your local PHE centre. Preventable by vaccination. Your local PHE centre will organise any contact tracing necessary
Glandular fever None
Head lice / None / Treatment is recommended only in cases where live lice have been seen
Hepatitis A* / Exclude until seven days after onset of jaundice (or seven days after symptom onset if no jaundice) / In an outbreak of hepatitis A, your local PHE centre will advise on control measures
Hepatitis B*, C*, HIV/AIDS / None / Hepatitis B and C and HIV are bloodborne viruses that are not infectious through casual contact.
Meningococcal meningitis*/ septicaemia* / Until recovered / Meningitis C is preventable by vaccination
There is no reason to exclude siblings or other close contacts of a case. In case of an outbreak, it may be necessary to provide antibiotics with or without meningococcal vaccination to close school contacts. Your local PHE centre will advise on any action is needed
Meningitis* due to other bacteria / Until recovered / Hib and pneumococcal meningitis are preventable by vaccination. There is no reason to exclude siblings or other close contacts of a case. Your local PHE centre will give advice on any action needed
Meningitis viral* / None / Milder illness. There is no reason to exclude siblings and other close contacts of a case. Contact tracing is not required
MRSA / None / Good hygiene, in particular handwashing and environmental cleaning, are important to minimise any danger of spread. If further information is required, contact your local PHE centre
Mumps* / Exclude child for five days after onset of swelling / Preventable by vaccination (MMR x2 doses)
Threadworms / None / Treatment is recommended for the child and household contacts
Tonsillitis / None / There are many causes, but most cases are due to viruses and do not need an antibiotic

* denotes a notifiable disease. It is a statutory requirement that doctors report a notifiable disease to the proper officer of the local authority (usually a consultant in communicable disease control). In addition, organisations may be required via locally agreed arrangements to inform their local PHE centre.