My name is Linda McGaughey and I am the School Nurse at Bennett Memorial Diocesan School. I work together with other members of the Welfare Team to ensure the health and wellbeing of all the students here at school.
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Health protection in schools and other childcare facilities Please refer to Chapter 9 for specific information regarding infections.
I am available from 8:30am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, to provide assistance to any student who sustains an injury or becomes unwell during the school day. If I am unavailable a trained First Aider will attend. The following is a list of treatments that would normally be offered to alleviate the symptoms that a student may be suffering from, in order to keep them in school:
- Heat Pads – Period pain/stomach ache/aching joints & muscles
- Cold Pads – Headaches/joint or limb injuries
- Oral paracetamol/Calpol – Headache/period pain/earache/toothache/back ache
- Strepsils – Sore throat
- Cetrizine – Allergic reactions
- Honey & Lemon cough linctus – Coughs, colds & sore throats
- Arnica Cream – Bruises
- Acriflex Cream – Burns
- Antihistamine Cream – Insect bites/nettle stings
- Calamine Lotion – Insect bites/stings/ allergic itchy rashes
- Medicated dressings – Burns/grazes
It is important that students with asthma and severe allergies carry their inhalers and Epipens with them at all times. I also strongly advise that spares are provided for safe keeping in the medical room. For further information regarding medicines in school please see the Managing Medicines in School policy on the school website.It should be stressed that treatment will not be given on demand, but only after careful consideration of all the relevant facts. Over the counter medication will only be administered if a parent consent form has been signed and only if the child has used the medication in the past, with no adverse reaction. No other members of staff are permitted to give medication unless it is by prescription and accompanied by a parent permission form signed to do so. All medications administered during the school day will be recorded in the student planner.
In all cases, if an injury or illness appears to be serious or debilitating, a parent/guardian will be contacted immediately in order that their child can be taken home or to hospital. Please inform the school of any change of contact details.
The parents/guardians of all students with a medical condition, whether it be a long term illness or a short term one that impacts on their daily life will be asked to complete a Care Plan. For example, students with asthma, epilepsy, diabetes, anaphylaxis or any illness that can affect their daily living.
A care plan is an agreement between you and the school to help us manage your child’s health while in school. It helps to assess what care and support is needed and how it will be provided. It should be completed in collaboration with the Parent/Guardian, the school and by the specialist Nurse/Doctor. Once completed, the information will be shared with the relevant staff, so that they can ensure that your child’s needs are met while in school.
If you think your child would benefit from having a plan of care for their medical needs please contact me so that we can arrange a mutually convenient time to complete it. Alternatively, you can download a copy by following the link in the section – Forms. Once completed this can be sent to me at school. If you are unsure if your child requires a care plan please contact me so that we can discuss it.
The care plan is reviewed annually but it is important that you inform me of any changes to your child’s health so that this can be implemented earlier. It is important to keep the school informed should your child develop a medical illness, require surgery or the treatment/medication is changed for an existing illness.
It is vital in certain situations where a child’s health is at risk that I liaise with other school staff, for example students with severe allergies, diabetes, epilepsy or asthma. If you do not consent to information regarding your child’s health and wellbeing being discussed with other members of staff, please inform me in writing.
Please do not send your child to school if they are too unwell to attend lessons, or with injuries that have occurred out of school. The Medical Room has 1 bed for emergencies and sudden illness and should not be used as an alternative to being at home. Please contact your child’s year manager if you feel your child might benefit from attending the Achievement and Re-integration Centre.
Students may not arrange to be collected themselves. A member of staff will contact parents to arrange collection, if necessary.
Care Plans and medication consent forms, for both over the counter and prescription medicines, can be downloaded from the Form section by following the links above. You will also find information on various subjects, including advice on infectious diseases, relevant fact sheets and childhood immunisations.
You are very welcome to contact me at any time either in person or by e-mail [email protected] with any concerns regarding the health and wellbeing of your child.