Health policy

School Clinics

To care for our school community each of our schools has a designated health service staffed by internationally trained nurses.  Our full time nurses (details below) will attend to children who become ill or injure themselves during the school day. If a student becomes ill during the day and is unable to stay at school the nurse will contact parents to take their child home. If a student is seen by the nurse and has received medical attention the nurse will communicate this with parents via an email, SMS or treatment note informing the parents of the actions taken.

The school should be notified if a child has any serious medical conditions, anaphylaxis or asthma so that an action plan can be created in collaboration with parents and/or their medical provider. This will raise staff awareness of the appropriate medical procedure to assist the student should they become unwell at school. Children with asthma should have their reliever medication and spacer kept in the nurse’s office for personal use. Children with known anaphylaxis must provide the school with at least 1 Adrenaline auto injector (EpiPen) for emergency use. However for school trips 2 EpiPens may be requested depending on the trip location and access to emergency care 

 In order to ensure appropriate care is available in the school it is extremely important that a completed medical history is submitted before entry to the school and updated annually. Parents must inform the office immediately when there is a change in a child’s medical history, this includes immunisation history, allergies and known or new medical conditions.

Medical procedures

When a student becomes unwell at school they will be sent to the school nurse for assessment.  If a child has minor symptoms and it is deemed that they can stay in school, the nurse may administer medication to provide symptom relief (see medication administration policy below). If their illness or injury indicates they need to be sent home then parents will be contacted directly to collect the child from school. Similarly, for an accident that occurs at school which results in an injury, if the nurse considers the injury serious enough to warrant further medical attention parents will be called and our nurses will recommend a local clinic for further assessments. 

Medical Insurance

Each of our campuses undertake strict audits throughout the year to ensure the highest standards of Health and Safety are adhered to; however, accidents or illness can happen and it is the responsibility of parents to ensure an adequate local or international health insurance policy which will cover any medical needs. For our Vietnamese students, local health insurance is provided by the school upon initial registration at BIS HCMC, but due to Government regulations, this does not extend to students on an overseas passport. Any costs associated with injury or illness to any student will be the responsibility of parents. 

Medical Emergencies

In the event of an accident or a sudden serious illness at school, we will make every effort to contact parents. Please keep the office informed of any changes in home, business, or emergency phone numbers. If a medical emergency situation arises, we will transport the child to the nearest appropriate medical clinic.  A responsible adult from the school will accompany the child to the clinic and await the arrival of the parent.

Medicines in school

The school health services maintain a supply of common over the counter medicines to provide symptom relief for minor injuries and illnesses. These medicines are only given when it is deemed necessary by the school nurse or delegated staff member, usually in consultation with the child’s parent/ carer where possible. In order to safeguard against accidental medication overdosing the nurse will not give any medication prior to 12pm unless they have discussed with the parent first or can confirm that the student has not had any medication in the preceding 6 hours. If a child is given medicine from the school clinic they will be given a clinic treatment note to bring home or you will receive an email or SMS message from the nurse indicating the type of medicine and the time at which it was given. A record will also be entered onto the SIMS database.

Children should not bring medication to school and take it without adult supervision. The school policy requires the nurse or delegated staff member in her absence to only give medicines where it is clear that they will provide relief of minor symptoms associated with common illnesses, pain or fever control. On the understanding that it is not always easy or necessary to contact parents or guardians, we will not always ask for permission before giving medication for pain relief or fever. However, if parents do not wish any medication to be administered to their child in this way, or there is a reason why your child should not be given a particular type of medicine (e.g. an allergy),  this should be indicated  on the medical update form that is completed on entry and updated annually. 

Medicine sent from home

If a student requires medicine from home during school, parents/ guardians must complete a written authorisation to administer medications with the school nurse directly. Medicines from home will not be administered without a written authorisation from a parent or guardian. This authorisation form is available directly from the nurse.

The guidelines for administration of medicine from home are strictly followed by the school nurses. These guidelines are for the safety of students and staff within the school and are outlined below. 

For medicines from home the following guidelines apply;

• • Parent (guardian) brings medicine directly to the nurse.

  • Parent (guardian) completes and signs the authorisation with the following information;

  • Name of medicine,

  • Reason for medicine,

  • Dose (amount to be given),

  • Time to be given,

  • Number of days needed.

Please note the following

Medicines must be in the original packaging with a visible expiry date.

• • Prescription medications must be in the student’s name.

  • Over the counter medicines must be applicable to the condition being treated.

  • All medicine must have instructions in English (translated is acceptable).

If the procedures are not followed then the nurses are not able to administer medicines from home to your child. 

Please note that administration of vitamins, some traditional medicines* or medication that cannot be clearly identified will not be administered by the school nurse.  All medicine administration will be recorded onto the SIMS database.

*At the discretion of the nurse

When to keep your child home

For the wellbeing of our school community, if your child is unwell or sick overnight or when they wake in the morning they should be kept at home until they are rested and symptom free for at least 24 hours (48 hours for Diarrhoea).

Please keep your child at home if they exhibit any of the following symptoms;

• • A persistent cough, heavy cold symptoms, or another common but contagious illness.

  • Your child has had repeated instances of vomiting or diarrhea in the previous 12-24 hours. 

    • • If kept off school for the symptoms above, they should remain at home for at least 24 hours from the last episode of vomiting or diarrhea, and at least 48 hours from the last episode of both symptoms.

  • If they have a temperature greater than 37.7°C (99.8°F) when they first wake up in the morning. They can return to school when they have been fever free (without fever relieving medications) for at least 24 hours. 

Nurse Criteria for Sending a Child home

Immunisation

On enrolment at The British international School it is required that an up-to-date immunisation history, in accordance with the child’s home country schedule of immunisations, be provided.  Immunisations help protect the health and well-being of our school community from the risks of preventable illness and disease and therefore the school encourages parents to ensure that their child’s immunisation schedule is kept up-to-date. 

If you would like further information on a recommended immunisation schedule please contact the school nurse for advice.

Illness and School Swimming program

 We take the swimming programme at BIS HCMC very seriously, and unless a medical form is supplied, if a child is able to attend school then they are fit to swim. The school swimming program is a very important part of a child’s individual and social development and we strongly advocate a child’s participation in the program with their peers. If a child is unable to swim or access the splash pool due to a medical condition, parents must provide school with an appropriate medical certificate. It should be noted that a blanket exclusion from all swimming lessons for the term/ year is not acceptable; this will be assessed on a case by case basis with the parents and Headteacher.  Children who are not swimming will accompany their class to the pool and observe the lesson.

 If a child does not have their swimming kit and is fit to swim, the school may provide them with suitable kit in order for them to participate.

 For further information on the school health services please contact the nurse at your child’s school.