The following information is for principalsand regional directors regarding the roleof the Public Health Medical Officer (PHMO)in managingstudent/s with, or suspected of having, a contagious condition as described in the Public Health Act 2005 (Qld).

The principal, school staff and regional director are responsible for acting on requests by the PHMO as outlined below to minimise risks to the health of the school population and general public. This information should be read in conjunction with the Management of contagious conditions procedure.

The Public Health Medical Officer (PHMO) will:

When notified that a student is suspected of having a prescribed vaccine-preventable contagious condition

  1. Provide relevant information to the principal if satisfied that:
  2. a student attending the school is suspected of having a prescribed vaccine-preventable condition
  3. another student attending the school has had contact with the student and it is necessary to provide information about this student for the principal to discharge responsibilities outlined in the Management of Contagious Conditionsprocedure.

When conducting a medical examination of students at school

  1. Provide written notice to the principal of:
  2. the date and time of the examination/s
  3. the contagious condition for which examinations are to be conducted
  4. the student/s, or class of students, to be examined
  5. the name and contact details of the medical practitioner who is to conduct the examination/s.
  6. Advise the parent of the student:
  7. the date and time of the examination
  8. the contagious condition for which the examination is to be conducted
  9. the name and contact details of the medical practitioner who is to conduct the examination
  10. that the student's parent may be present
  11. that the examination cannot take place without the consent of the parent
  12. alternatively, that a parent can have a student examined by another medical practitioner and provide a medical certificate to the principal stating whether the student has the contagious condition and if so, whether the recommended period of removal from school has ended
  13. that a parent may be directed to remove a student from school, and not send the student to school if the student has not been examined by a medical practitioner, or the examination reveals that the student has, or may have, a contagious condition.

When providing directions to principals

  1. Give the direction in writing (unless it is not practicable to do so).
  2. Instruct the principal to direct a parent to remove a student from, and not send the student to, school for the prescribed period of time for the contagious condition if:
  3. a medical practitioner has examined the student and has advised the Public Health Unit (PHU) that the student has, or may have, a contagious condition and the prescribed period for the condition has not ended
  4. the parent of the student has been advised that the student should be examined by a medical practitioner arranged by the PHU (or by another medical practitioner chosen by the parent) to obtain a certificate stating that the child does not have the contagious condition or the prescribed period for the condition has ended
  5. the PHMO reasonably suspects that the student has, or may have, a contagious condition and the prescribed period for the condition has not ended
  6. the PHMO reasonably suspects that a child attending the school has not been vaccinated for a vaccine preventable condition and will be at risk of contracting the condition if the child continues to attend the school.
  7. Instruct the principal to direct a parent to:
  8. remove an unvaccinated student from, and not send this student to, school for the prescribed period of time for the contagious condition.
  9. Direct the principal to minimise the risk of the contagious condition spreading, if satisfied there is an outbreak of a contagious condition at a school.
  10. Advise the principal to implement infection control guidelines, for example, by:
  11. not allowing students to share eating utensils, cups, clothing and bed linen
  12. disinfecting the above
  13. ensuring cleaning and disinfecting procedures are followed
  14. providing information to staff, students and parents about the contagious condition including the way it may be treated and measures to reduce its spread.

When out of school/office hours or for incidents requiring regional office assistance

  1. Contact the Regional Director to advise of a public health issue affecting a school in their region.
  2. Request relevant school staff and student contact information from the Regional Director (or regional contact officer where the Regional Director is unavailable) to fulfil public health obligations under the Act.

Uncontrolled copy. Refer to the Department of Education and Training Policy and Procedure Register at
to ensure you have the most current version of this document.

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