First Aid
Many members of staff hold First Aid certificates and there is always a qualified member in the school when the children are present. Minor accidents are dealt with within the school, but should a visit to the doctor or hospital be advisable then the parent or guardian will be contacted.
Please let us know if your child is allergic to plasters or medicines.
In the event of an emergency we will need to contact you urgently. To make this possible you must inform us of any changes to the contact details we hold for your child. This includes address, telephone numbers and workplace details.
St Matthew’s Primary School also has an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) which is located in the area under the canopies by the staffroom. Although a number of key staff members have been trained in the use of the AED, we recognise that these are designed to be administered by any bystander on the advice of 999.
For further information on AED and First Aid at St Matthew’s, please see our school First Aid Policy.
A few children have more complex health needs and require a Care Plan. This can include some children with asthma, allergies requiring an epipen, diabetes, epilepsy, etc. Where children have a Care Plan, familiar staff will be trained in meeting their medical needs. Please let us know if your child requires long-term medication or treatment. If you would like to discuss your child’s medical needs, our Healthcare Assistant, Debbie Changara, can be contacted via the school office.
We ask parents to update us of any medical conditions on annual basis or earlier if there are any changes. If your child has any other medical condition that we need to be aware of, please also contact our Healthcare Assistant.
Medicines
We can only administer medicines prescribed by a medical professional. Short term medication will only be given in school when the prescribed dose is to be given more than three times daily. This would not apply if the pharmacy label states a specific time of day that a dose must be given then.
If you wish us to administer medicine to your child, the following procedure must be followed:
- it must be given to the office or the medical room by a parent/carer;
- it must be collected from the medical room by a parent/carer;
- a consent form for medical administration must be completed, stating the dose to be given and giving staff permission to administer the medicine.
Any medicines given in school, including inhalers, must be brought into school in their original box with the pharmacy label attached.
Asthma
Many children suffer from asthma and we are experienced in supporting this. We will encourage and help them to participate fully in all aspects of school life. If your child needs an inhaler they must keep one in school at all times. It will also be necessary to state the required dosage on the school’s indemnity form.
Walkers
Any Year 5 and Year 6 children who walk home themselves will need to carry their inhaler with them, if they require one. This is also the case for any children who have an epipen. Parents are responsible for ensuring that their children have these with them each day. They will be stored safely in school during the day, ready for the child to collect before walking home. Children will still need an additional inhaler and epipen that is kept in school.
Head lice
Please be vigilant in looking for head lice as the school nurse no longer visits the school to check children’s hair. If you find lice or eggs it is essential to treat them following the latest advice. If you are in any doubt, please come and see our Healthcare Assistant or Family Worker for advice.
Intimate care
At St Matthew’s Primary School we have some pupils who require help with intimate care, such as eating or toileting. We believe all children have the right to be safe and be treated with dignity, respect and privacy at all times. Where regular intimate care is required staff will work in partnership with parents/carers to provide care appropriate to the needs of the individual child. They will work together to produce an Intimate Care Plan.
Where intimate care is required whether on a regular basis or ad hoc basis, perhaps as the result of illness or a toileting incident, the child will be cared for sensitively. Staff members will work to support and encourage the child to do as much for themselves as they can.
For further information on this, please see our school’s Intimate Care Policy.
School Health Services
Medical professionals visit the school regularly to carry out routine examinations. This includes vision and hearing checks in Reception and targeted health checks by the School Nurse. Parents are always informed if their child is to be seen. If you have any health concerns about your child, please inform us. We can arrange for you to see the school nurse for advice if it is needed.
The school nurse can be contacted on 0300 550606.
Additionally, flu vaccines take place in school on an annual basis. These are only given to children whose parents/carers give consent.
If you have any questions about Health and Welfare at St Matthew’s Primary School, please contact Debbie Changara (Healthcare Assistant).
Further information can also be found in our Medical Policy.