Medical

FIRST AID AND HEALTH AT MICHAEL HALL

The First Aid Room is located in the Lower School building and it is the one specific place every student and staff member know where to go to seek treatment or support if medical need/support is required. It is accessible everyday from 8:00 to 16:30.

We attend not only to physical medical needs that can arise, but also to emotional and wellbeing needs. It is a valuable, welcoming and nurturing space well established in our Waldorf School Community and is staffed by our School Nurse and a Medical Officer in the afternoon from 12:30.

Blanca Rey, RN

[email protected]

01342 822275, Ext 300

Medical Information

It is a requirement that before starting school, parents must complete the Admission Medical Form (which will be sent along with contracts) detailing their child's medical history and any other issues which may affect your child/ren's health or academic performance. It is also important to keep our school nurse informed of any significant changes that occur during the school year.

At the beginning of each academic year, parents have the responsibility to inform the School of any medical updates, consent to administer remedies and medication and also the two emergency contact numbers the school can contact if we are unable to reach the parents. If you are away for a period of time, you must notify and provide the School with the telephone number of your child's guardian. We always respect confidentiality, except when this puts the individual or the community at risk. Medical information provided to the School will be held and processed in accordance with the principles of UK data protection legislation.

Common childhood illnesses and afflictions occur frequently at schools, especially among younger children, and rarely require exclusion. If several children in the same class share symptoms there may be a mention in a class email to alert parents and/or in the Friday Flyer if it’s more general. See Common Childhood Illnesses Exclusion Period Policy below.

Children who become ill or injured while at school will be excused from class to attend the First Aid Room. The Nurse or a First Aider will assess and treat the child. First Aid homeopathic remedies may be administered, providing the parents have signed the consent statement on the Admission Medical form or Annual Medical Update Form. Organic herbal teas with organic honey are offered too. All staff in our Kindergarten are trained as Paediatric First Aiders, they will attend to and treat accordingly any matters arising.

If a hospital visit is considered necessary and a parent or guardian can't be contacted, a First Aider, or a responsible adult, will accompany the child to the hospital and remain with them until the parent/guardian arrives.

In the case of certain communicable illnesses, the School must be informed immediately. These include chickenpox, measles, German measles, mumps, whooping cough, scarlet fever, food poisoning, impetigo, and scabies. Your child must be kept at home until the infection resolves or ceases to be contagious (please contact the School Nurse for advice). Students recovering from viral illness should not return to school until they are fully recovered.

Annual Medical Update Form

Please use this form to keep us updated with any changes to your child's medical records. For example; if your child has been diagnosed with a new medical condition, or you have changed family doctor. Once notification of any changes has been received by the school you will be contacted by the first aid department to confirm receipt and to clarify if there are any additional medication needs.

Child's Name* Child's Class* Date of birth Medical Condition: Please give details of any new medical conditions and the date they were diagnosed.* Does your child have any allergies? If so please give details below* Does your child have any food intolerances? If so please give details below* GP Details: Name and telephone number* Other changes to your child's medical records*

Emergency Release: In the event we are unable to contact a child's parents

It is essential that we have contact details for two UK based adults, other than the child's parents on file. Please give these details below. Please note forms will not be accepted if the emergency contact numbers belong to the parents.

Adult 1: Name and relationship to child* Adult 1: Phone number* Adult 2: Name and relationship to child* Adult 2: Phone number*

I give my consent for my child to be released to the above person(s) in the event of emergency or illness, if I cannot be contacted. They are also permitted, to give medical consent in my absence (please notice this is a mandatory safeguarding requirement so no forms will be accepted without this information)*I accept

Vaccinations

We do not accommodate Immunisation programmes. If you would like information regarding Immunisation Programmes and how to contact your local Immunisation Clinic, please contact the School Nurse.

As educators, we do not have anti-vaccination policies, rather that we acknowledge this is an individual health decision which families make in conjunction with advice from health professionals.

Homeopathic Remedies

The School has a stock of arnica tablets & ointment, hypercal ointment for cuts and grazes, digestive drops, insect bite spray and combudoron ointment to use when needed.

Herbal Teas with Organic Honey are available to treat upset tummies, colds, sore throats and coughs.

Stevia lozenges for coughs and sore throats (Riccola) are also available.

Over the Counter Medication

Paracetamol: the School keeps a stock of Paracetamol tablets and Calpol to use if needed and with previous consent from the parents. It is mainly administered to Middle School and Upper School pupils with migraine, headaches, and bad period cramps. Calpol is not administered to younger students unless directed by parents after a phone call/written consent obtained.

Emergency Medication

Adrenaline Auto Injectors: the School has spare emergency adrenaline auto-injectors to use in case of emergency.
Antihistamine syrup
Asthma: the School has spare inhalers to use in case of emergency.