First Aid and Medical Policy
Arrangements for the Provision of First Aid at The Mount School

The Mount School has established this policy, which meets all the legal requirements for administration of medication required during school hours. The policy is compliant with EYFS

The Education (School Premises) Regulations 1999 require every maintained school to have accommodation in which pupils who are sick may be cared for during school hours. The Mount School?s „medical room? is located in the portacabin adjacent to the main building of the school. Additional First Aid equipment is also located in all main buildings and high risk areas.

In Compliance with the Education (School Premises) Regulations 1996, the Bursar will ensure that the medical room is available for first aid treatment. (Please see Appendix 2)

The Bursar has overall responsibility for the first aid provision at the school. The day to day management and co-ordination of the School?s First Aid Policy, is carried out by the First Aid Administrator, who is competent in her understanding of First Aid and a qualified first aider. The First Aid Administrator is currently the Headteacher?s PA.
First Aid Administrator

The First Aid Administrator is responsible for:
  • Keeping confidential medical information and records up to date on school database
  • Maintaining and recording all accidents in the accident book
  • Advising the Bursar about potential RIDDOR incidents that need reporting
  • Keep up to date list of training and qualified first aiders
  • Maintaining and updating confidential pupil list for allergies and medical conditions
  • Ensuring first aid equipment is in good working order
  • Maintaining the medical boxes around the school site
  • Controlling medical stock levels
  • Updating the school?s first aid policy and procedures, in consultation with the Bursar
  • Ensuring medical room is kept in good working order
  • Providing a health form list for school trips
  • Managing first aid budget
Appointment of First Aiders
The Headteacher has appointed First Aiders at the Mount School, who work full time Monday to Friday between the hours of 8am – 5pm.

A list of appointed First Aiders and their contact telephone numbers are situated around the school.

The First Aiders:
  • Take charge when someone is injured or becomes ill
  • Provide first aid assistance as required in case of illness or injury in accordance with school policies and procedures
  • Contact parents to advise that a pupil should be sent home or be collected
  • Administer medication to pupils as per school policy and procedures
  • Ensure that an ambulance or other professional medical help is summoned when necessary

The appointed First Aiders must complete a renewal course every three years from a recognised training provider, to ensure accurate and up to date skills. As well as this mandatory training, the Mount School provides a biennial first aid review of emergency first aid training for all staff as part of their inset days.
FIRST AID ADMINISTRATOR
Ms L Hutchings Whole School Paediatric Trained
PAEDIATRIC FIRST AIDERS
Miss L Ellis Whole Scool Paediatric Trained
Mrs L Phote Senior School Paediatric Trained
Mrs E Grilli Junior School Paediatric Trained
Miss C Myeroff Junior School Paediatric Trained
GENERAL FIRST AIDERS
Mrs Z Akhtar Senior School/Staff First Aid Trained
Mrs S Flaherty Senior School First Aid Trained
Qualified First Aiders
Name Requalified Expired Body
Zahidah Akhtar 29/09/2009 28/09/2012 Safety First Aid
Laura Ellis 10/01/2011 10/01/2013 Safety First Aid
Lisa Hutchings 06/11/2009 05/11/2012 Staying Alive
Linda Phote 01/02/2010 01/02/2013 Barnet
Liz Grilli 23/02/2010 22/02/13 Barnet
Charlene Myerhoff 09/03/2010 08/03/2013 Barnet
Sara Flaherty 01/12/2008 30/112011 f.a.i. training on site

The Bursar is responsible for ensuring that the first aid training is kept up to date. Booking for appropriate courses is organised at the Bursar?s instruction.

First Aid at Work - On 4th September 2009 a training session was organised for all staff to complete a 1 day Appointed Persons Course as part of their INSET.

In addition to meeting the statutory requirements, the appointed First Aiders will also provide first aid for employees and pupils. We also accept responsibility towards non-employees while on school premises.
Equipment and Facilities

The Mount School provides a fully stocked medical room for the assessment and treatment of illnesses and injuries amongst the girls and staff.

Satellite first Aid containers are located around the school:

Every Science Lab (x5)
Gymnasium
Library
Medical Room

Photocopy Room
Design Technology Room
Art Room
Minibus

Kitchen
Satff Room
EYFS
Juniors
When a school trip is planned first aid kits are also provided. These kits are available upon request from the First Aid Administrator 48 hours before the trip is due to depart. There are three main kits – each one set up with slight variations – a junior kit, a senior kit and a kit for longer activity type trips.

A small supply of painkillers and antihistamines are also taken on all school trip. These will be kept separately and securely by the teacher in charge of the trip. All accidents and injuries must be recorded. The injured parties name, reason, medication administrator and dosage must be logged.
Information on First Aid Arrangements

The Bursar will provide employees at the Mount with an electronic copy of the First Aid Policy to ensure that they have access to the following:
  • The arrangements for recording and reporting accidents
  • The arrangements for first aid treatment
  • Employees with qualifications in first aid
  • The location of the First Aid kits around the school
  • Fully equipped first aid kits for all trips
In addition the First Aid Administrator will ensure that signs are displayed throughout the School providing the following Information:
  • The arrangements for first aid treatmentName of employees with First Aid qualifications
  • Location of First Aid boxes
Accident Reporting

The Bursar is aware of the statutory duty under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulation 1995 (RIDDOR) in respect of reporting the following to the Health and Safety Executive as it applies to employees.

Accidents will be reported when:
  • An accident that involves an employee being in-capacitated from work for more that three consecutive days (excluding the day of the accident but including  non working days)
  • An accident that requires admittance to hospital for in excess of 24 hours
  • Death of an employee
  • Major injury such as fracture, amputation dislocation of shoulder, hip or knee or spine
  For non-employees and pupils an accident will only be reported under RIDDOR when:
  • Where it is related to work being carried out by an employee or contractor and the accident results in death or major injury
  • Where it is related to work being carried out by an employee
  • An accident in school which requires immediate emergency medical treatment at hospital
Record of general illness are recorded daily on sheets held in the medical room, from which the Management Information System (PASS) is updated.  Injuries are recorded in the accident book held in the medical room and are updated on the pupils notes on the PASS System.  All accidents or injuries are recorded here for the safety & protection of the pupils and school.
Advice to Parents
Pupils should not be sent into school if they have had a raised temperature, diarrhoea and vomiting in the last 24 hours.

'Advice to parents' on first aid issues can be seen at Appendix 1 below.
Medication
Legally schools are not compelled to administer medication to pupils because of the risks involved and possible legal consequences. However, it is the Mount School policy, wherever possible, to work in partnership with parents, pupils and governors by allowing the safe administration of medicines during school hours by the appointed First Aiders.

The Mount School believes that to allow pupils to receive medication in school will help minimize the risk of disruption to their education brought about by early dismissal home or by performing below expectation in class due to feeling unwell.

The Mount School provides certain over-the-counter medications in the Medical Room. These tablets are administered by the appointed First Aiders.

The medications can only be administered to pupils if:
  • Permission has been given by the pupil’s parents/guardians via medical forms
Allergies are recorded on the pupil files and a photo list of pupils with allergies is displayed on the inside of the medical door in the medical room. Copies of this list are also displayed in the staff room and the kitchen.

Any medication administered will be recorded by the First Aider on the daily record sheets held in the medical room, which will then be put onto the system.
Pupil's Own Medication
If pupils take regular medication during the school hours, they are permitted to bring in a small amount of the medication to be administered at the appropriate time by the appointed First Aiders. These medications are kept in a locked storage cupboard within the medical room. Each pupil has allocated to her a small container, clearly labelled, where their medication is kept. This measure is taken to avoid confusion and mistakes occurring with storage and administration. The EpiPens are stored within the Head?s PA?s office. The Junior department teachers keep the EpiPens for the junior pupils.

Any medication brought from home, should be labelled correctly with the pupil?s name and retain the pharmacist?s label. The pupil?s parent/guardian must also send a letter to the school confirming;
  • The name of the medication
  • The reason for the medication
  • How long the pupil will be on the medication
  • How often it is required to be given in school
  • What time it should be given
  • Any special instructions – e.g. before or after food etc.
This letter will be kept with her medical records to safeguard the child and for legal reasons.
Staff Responsibilities
Staff at school, are not obliged to administer medication to pupils. However those trained in first aid may at times be called upon to administer basic medications (that they are confident in administering). All other teaching and support staff are unlikely to be required to give out medicines but they should be made aware that a pupil is taking medication so they can look out for side effects.

All teachers and other staff will need to be aware of emergency procedures and their general duties under the policy. They should also have sufficient information provided by parents or health professionals to allow them to deal with the needs of individual pupils.
Disposal
Tablets and capsules are occasionally dropped on the floor or spat out. Under no circumstances should it be flushed down the toilet or thrown in the bin in the medical room. Instead each tablet should be sealed and folded in an envelope or small container and disposed of safely in a staff toilet bin or staffroom bin.

A pupil's own medication where the pupil has left the school, ceased to need the drug or it has expired should be returned unused to the pupil's parent. If this is not possible it can be taken to any pharmacy for disposal.
Medication Adminsitration Errors
Where a dose has been given too early or too large a dose has been given, it is important that the pupil is monitored for any reactions and medical advice is sought immediately. It is vital that the pupil's medical file on PASS is updated with the details of the occurrence and it is entered in the incident book. Parents should be contacted and the mistake explained to them and the Headteacher must be informed.
Medicines and the Law
There are a number of relevant laws that affect the way you deal with medicines in schools.

Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (as amended by the SEN and Disability Act 2001) makes it a requirement for schools not to unjustifiably discriminate against pupils with disabilities, including those with medical needs.

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. School managers have a responsibility to ensure that safety measures are in place to cover the needs of all staff, visitors and pupils in the school. This may mean conducting risk assessments and making special provision for pupils with particular health needs.

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002. COSHH covers the use and storage of hazardous substances. Some medicines fall into this category.

Medicines Act 1968. This covers all aspects of the supply and administration of medicines. It allows any adult to administer a medicine to a third party as long as they have consent and administration is in accordance with the prescriber’s instruction. This includes the administration of some forms of injection (with appropriate training).

Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. This act and its associated regulations cover the supply, administration and storage of controlled drugs. At times schools may have a pupil who has been prescribed a controlled drug.
Treating a Sick or Injured Pupil
For their own protection and the protection of the casualty and staff who administer first aid, the following precautions should be taken:
  • Verbal consent must be obtained from each pupil before any assessment or first aid treatment is delivered
  • Should a pupil refuse treatment – careful documentation should be made of this fact in the pupil's medical records and if a first aider feels the injury/illness really warrants treatment then the parents should be contacted to inform them of the situation
  • Pupils shall be treated with tact and understanding and their privacy shall be respected at all times
  • Any concerns about old injuries notices on a pupil's body or disclosures by a pupil of abuse of any type must be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Officer as soon as possible (See Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy)
  • Careful hand-washing before and after each casualty should be adhered to
  • When dealing with any bodily fluids gloves must be worn where ever possible
  • All material contaminated with blood or other bodily fluids should be disposed of in the yellow hazard bin in the medical room and not in the domestic bins
All first aid given should be carefully documented on the daily medical sheets and then entered onto the PASS system.  The PASS system should be updated weekly. Documentation should include the First Aider’s name, pupil’s name, complaint, symptoms, all treatment given and any review that is carried out afterwards.
Pupils with Significant Medical Conditions
Pupils with significant medical conditions are listed with photographs and their conditions in the staff room, kitchen and the Medical room. All staff are made fully aware of all significant medical conditions.
Care of the Sick or Injured Pupil
Any pupil who is too unwell to be in class should be observed for a maximum of half an hour in the reception area of the school.

They can sit quietly, this time allows:
  1. Any medication that has been given a chance to take effect and additional medication to be given if needed
  2. Re-assessment of any injury and the pupil?s ability to use the injured body part
  3. Close monitoring for any gradual improvement or deterioration in a pupil?s mood and general level of perkiness
Sending a Pupil Home
If after half an hour, despite the treatment given there is no improvement or the pupil?s condition has deteriorated, then a parent or guardian must be called to collect her.

Options available to the parent are
  1. Collect the pupil themselves,
  2. Get a friend/other family member to collect,
  3. We put them in a taxi to be paid for at the other end by parent/guardian (if the pupil is in the senior school only) and full parental permission has been given.
In the case of a pupil going in a taxi – the parent or guardian will be contacted as the pupil leaves the school, who must contact the school once the pupil is safely at home.  If no confirmation of safe arrival, then the parents must be contacted.

On NO ACCOUNT should any unwell pupil be allowed to travel home unescorted on public transport.
Non-Critical Hospital Treatment
Where non-critical hospital treatment is required, contact the parents, explain the situation and request that they take over the responsibility of the pupil and discuss the most appropriate course of action.

If in very rare circumstance a member of staff needs to make arrangements, with parental consent, for transporting a pupil independently, then the following points must be adhered to:
  1. Only staff cars insured to cover such transportation will be used,
  2. A first aider must accompany a pupil in a vehicle to the hospital and a second member of staff should be present.
  3. Ideally the first aider should not be the driver so that they can be available to monitor the injured pupil.
EMERGENCY TREATMENT REQUIRED
Full details are available in the First Aid Procedures

There may be occasions where a pupil needs emergency medical attention. Details of many significant emergency procedures can be found in the First Aid Procedures.

If the condition is not detailed within the First Aid Procedures then the following checklist should be followed:
  • Dial 999 and give information of the injury or illness
  • Stay with the pupil throughout to constantly monitor their condition
  • Inform Headteacher
  • Ask someone to ensure entrances are clear for the ambulance arrival
  • Contact parents and inform them what has happened and which hospital to go to (Ambulances will take a casualty to Barnet from our school unless they say otherwise)
  • A photocopy of the up to date medical form to be taken to the hospital with the pupil (kept onthe pupil's file in the reception area)
  • Ask someone to gather together all the pupil’s belongings
NB. The First Aider or a member of staff must accompany the pupil to hospital for moral support and reassurance, and stay with her until her parents /guardian arrives to take over.
ANAPHYLAXIS or SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTION
Please refer to full procedures for anaphylaxis.
Staff should immediately commence the standard allergy emergency protocol detailed below:
  1. Sit the child in a comfortable position and stay with them and remain calm to reassure them
  2. Send another child to get an Appointed First Aider – ensure that the Appointed First Aider is told that the emergency is an allergic reaction
  3. The appointed First Aider should collect the child?s EpiPen from the main office or junior class and the liquid Piriton from the medical cupboard and go immediately to the child.
  4. An ambulance must be called if an EpiPen has been used – even if it has successfully relieved the symptoms
SUSPECTED ASTHMA ATTACK
Please refer to full procedures for asthma care.
Staff should immediately commence the standard asthma emergency protocol detailed below:
  1. Sit the child upright and slightly leaning forward over a desk/ back of chair or cushion. Stay with the child and remain calm to reassure them (anxiety can make their breathing worse).
  2. Send another child to get a First Aider – ensure that the First Aider is told that the emergency is an asthma attack.
  3. A First Aider should collect the child?s inhaler (or any blue inhaler in an emergency) & an aerochamber/spacer and take them to the child.
  4. If using:
   
• The inhaler alone (senior girls only):
Shake the blue reliever inhaler and ask the child to take one puff and hold their breath for up to the count of 10. Repeat this one more time. (if they are struggling please just use a spacer - it makes it easier to get the medication into the lungs)
• A spacer or aerochamber (junior girls or very wheezy girls):
Shake the puffer and place in the end of the spacer, get the child to take the mouthpiece into her mouth and give 4 separate puffs through the spacer. Use one puff at a time and ask the child to take 5 breaths from the spacer after each puff.
  5. Wait 5 minutes. If there is no improvement repeat step 4.
  6. If still no improvement after a further 5 minutes - call an ambulance immediately (dial 999) and state clearly that the child is “having an asthma attack.”
Continuously repeat step 4 whilst waiting for the ambulance.

A member of staff should always go with any pupil needing transferring to hospital via an ambulance.
Appendix 1
Advice to Parents
Coughs and Colds - At some time or other we all get coughs and colds and on the whole there is no reason to keep your daughter off school. The only exceptions are should she have a raised temperature or if you feel she looks too unwell to attend.
Diarrhoea and Vomiting- If your daughter has diarrhoea and/or vomiting please do not send her back to school for 24hrs after the last symptom has fully subsided. This
a) ensures that the infection has passed and
b) allows her a little time to recover.
Should your daughter develop diarrhoea and vomiting while at school she will automatically be sent straight home.
Head Lice - Please check your daughter?s hair on a 2 weekly basis for head lice. A quick check along the hairline at the nape of the neck and behind her ears is usually all that is needed as these are the commonest areas of the head to find lice. If you do find head lice please do not send her back to school until she has had the initial shampoo treatment and let the First Aid Administrator know as soon as possible.
Verruccas and Athlete’s foot - Please check your daughter?s feet regularly for signs of cracks between the toes (athlete?s foot) or small cauliflower-like swellings anywhere on the sole of the foot (Verruccas.) Such infections spread quickly and thrive in warm and moist conditions such as changing rooms, trainers, socks and damp towels. Please ensure that your daughter always brings her own games and swimming kits to school so that she does not share kit. If you suspect she has either of these infections please ensure she wears a protective sock while swimming.
Chicken Pox - Because of its long incubation period we do occasionally have outbreaks of chicken pox in the school. If you think your daughter has chicken pox please contact the school immediately. She should not return to school until all the blisters have dried into a scab. This usually takes about 5 to 7 days.
Antibiotics - Should your daughter be unwell enough to need antibiotics please keep her at home for the first 24 hours to allow the antibiotics a chance to work. After that there is no reason why she should not return to school as normal, providing you feel she is well enough.
Medication - If your daughter needs to be given medicine during school time then please provide a letter clearly stating what the medicine is and what it is treating, what time it is to be given and how much is needed. The medicine and letter should be given to the First Aid Administrator at the beginning of school to be stored in the medical room until needed. Without such a letter the medication cannot be given to your daughter.
Days off school - If you feel that your daughter is too ill to attend school then please ring the school every day she is ill to inform us and up to date on her condition. On her return please provide a letter with explanation for her form tutor.
Appendix 2
THE MEDICAL ROOM
The medical room contains the following facilities
  • Sink with hot & cold running water
  • Drinking water & cups for the taking of oral medication
  • Paper Towels
  • A range of first aid equipment
  • Locked storage for medication
  • A bed with pillow and blankets
  • Soap & anti-bacterial hand gel,
  • Clean protective garments for First Aiders
  • Suitable clinical waste disposal unit & a regular waste disposal unit
  • Appropriate record-keeping facilities – written & computerised
  • A telephone as a means of communication
Instructions of pupils with allergies, asthmatic problems and EpiPen users are on the inside of the locked cupboard door.

Seniors' EpiPens are held in the main office and the Juniors' EpiPens are held in the Junior Department.
FIRST AID KITS IN THE MEDICAL CUPBOARD
Kit 1 – Junior First Aid kit and medicines case - This one carries mainly liquid medicines and all plasters are hypo-allergenic.
Kit 2 – Senior First Aid kit and medicine case –This carries a mixture of liquid and tablet medicines.
Kit 3 – Activity First Aid kit – This one is set up for longer trips – ie overnight or where outdoor activities etc are involved.

When taken on a trip, all the kits will contain a minimum of;
2 pairs of disposable gloves finger dressing,
1 pair of blunt ended scissors 1 sterile eye pad,
Vomit bags 1 disposable bandage,
Yellow biohazard plastic bag 1 triangle bandage,
10 antiseptic wipes 2 crepe bandages – 1x5cm width, 1x7.5cm width,
1 medium sterile dressing 10 plasters
1 large sterile dressing
OTHER THINGS KEPT IN THE MEDICAL CUPBOARD
  • Sanitary towels and tampons 
  • Extra vomit bags
  • Biohazard spillage cleanup kit (bright yellow plastic case)
Hot-Water Bottles
Hot-water bottles are kept on a hook by the sink. Pupils should always be supervised whilst using them.
Icepacks
Ices packs are kept in the cupboard and fridge. All ice packs must have a cover on them when used.
 
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