Rationale:

  • All students have the right to feel safe and well, and know that they will be attended to with due care when in need of First Aid.

Aims:

  • Due to our Duty of Care, we willadminister First Aid treatment to students and staff within the limits of our skill, expertise, training and responsibilities in a competent and timely manner.
  • We will communicate student health problems to parents when considered necessary.
  • We will provide supplies and facilities to cater for the administering of First Aid.
  • We will maintain a sufficient number of staff members trained with a Workplace Level 2 First Aid Certificate (HLTFA301C/HLTFA311A).
  • We will maintain a sufficient number of staff members trained with a First Aid Management of Anaphylaxis Certificate (22099VIC).

Implementation:

  • We will train the required number of staff (including at least oneadministration staff member) to achieveWorkplace Level 2 First Aid Certificates, First Aid Management of Anaphylaxis Certificates and Asthma First Aid.
  • A First Aid room, staffed by a qualified staff member, will be available for use at all times.
  • A comprehensive supply of basic first aid materials will be available in the First Aid room.
  • First Aid kits will also be available for staff use during yard duty, lessons e.g. Physical Education, or camps/excursions.
  • We will employ a non-teaching qualified staff member to supervise the First Aid room.
  • Unprescribed Medication, such as headache tablets, will only be administered to a student if it is provided by a parent/guardian with a note providing permission and in its original packaging. The Medication will be stored in sick bay or with a designated teacher/s on excursions.
  • We will refer all injuries or illnesses that occur during school time, that require first aid treatment,to the staff member on duty in the First Aid room.
  • We will provide staff with basic First Aid management skills for blood spills and syringe disposal/injuries.
  • Any children with injuries involving blood must have the wound covered at all times.
  • We will assist students and staff with specific medical conditions e.g. diabetes, epilepsy, etc.
  • We will maintain a confidential up-to-date register, located in the First Aid room, of all injuries or illnesses experienced by students that require First Aid.
  • We will document administration of First Aid treatment in the register, which should show:-
  • When it happened
  • What happened
  • Who was involved
  • What was decided or recommended
  • What advice or instruction was given
  • The order of events and/or decisions
  • Students required to take prescribed medication at school will do so in accordance to the College Medication Policy.
  • We will notify Parents/Guardians of the children who receive significant First Aid by telephone/mobile phone, indicating the nature of the injury, any treatment given, and the name of the staff member providing the First Aid; so that professional treatment may be organized.
  • All injuries will be reported on a DEECD Accident/Injury form LE375, and given to the General Office for entering onto ‘CASES’.
  • Parents of ill children will be contacted to take their child home.
  • Unless approved by a Principal or an Assistant Principal, no staff member may convey an ill student home or to the hospital or doctor.
  • All teachers have the authority to call an ambulance immediately in an emergency. If the situation and time permits, a teacher may confer with others before deciding on an appropriate course of action.
  • All school camps will have at least one Workplace Level 2 First Aid/First Aid Management of Anaphylaxis Certificate trained staff member at all times.
  • Any School Camp or excursion that has a student at Risk of Anaphylaxis, must have a trained Staff Member in administering an EPIPEN/ANAPEN (adrenaline)on the Camp or excursion & current First Aid Management of Anaphylaxis Certificate.
  • The student at Risk of Anaphylaxis must have a Medical Practitioner signed Action Plan and an up-to-date EPIPEN/ANAPEN (adrenaline) to take with them on the excursion or camp. If not, they are unable to attend the excursion or camp.
  • If the EPIPEN/ANAPEN (adrenaline) is out of date, the students at Risk of Anaphylaxis cannot attend the school until they bring an up-to-date EPIPEN/ANAPEN (adrenaline).
  • A comprehensive First Aid kit will accompany all excursions/camps, along with a mobile phone.
  • All students attending camps/excursions will have provided a signed medical form providing medical detail or any medical treatment required while on the camp which gives teachers permission to contact a doctor or ambulance should instances arise where their child requires treatment. Copies of the signed medical forms will be taken on the camps/excursions, as well as keep a copy at school.
  • All children, especially those with a documented asthma management plan, will have access to Ventolin and a spacer at all times.
  • A member of staff is to be responsible for the purchase and maintenance of First Aid supplies, First Aid kits, checking EPIPEN/ANAPEN (adrenaline) expiry dates, ice packs and the general upkeep of the First Aid room.
  • On a regular basis, we will update student medical records by requesting information from parents. Asthma Action Plansas well as Allergy and Anaphylaxis Action Plans are to be completed by parents / guardians at the beginning of each school yearfor students with these conditions.
  • The school will communicate to staff of any First Aid training to encourage staff to be First Aid trained
  • The school will organize annual revisions of Asthma First AidEPIPEN/ANAPEN (adrenaline) administration.
  • We will also recommend that all students have personal accident insurance and ambulance cover. This will be communicated to parents / guardians via the College newsletter.
  • The medical conditions of students will be communicated to staff on a needs basis – when the condition affects the learning and / or safety of the student and those in the student’s class.

Evaluation:

  • We will evaluate this policy as part of the school’s three-year review cycle.

References:

  • Health and Safety Act 2004; Health Records Act 2001, and the Accident Compensation Act 1985
  • DEECD website School Policy & Advisory Guide: First Aid and Accident Recording and Reporting

Swan Hill College CouncilReviewed:April 2013