Medical Information
In addition to the information shown below, please refer to APPENDIX C for the ‘ISPH Health Information Handbook’.
ISPH has a Medical Centre which is operated by a qualified nurse. If a student becomes unwell at school or hurts himself/herself, the nurse will contact parents if she deems that the child should be taken home, or requires further medical treatment.
When a student has a temperature of more than 37.6 degrees, or is ill, parents are asked to:
• Inform the school office that the child is unable to come to school.
• Keep the child at home until fit to return to school.
• Do not let children control or keep possession of medicines of any description in school.
• All medication must be handed to the Nurse with written directions by the parent*
• Send an explanatory note when the child returns to school after an absence.
Immunisations are considered to be a family responsibility and personal choice. We ask that parents keep the school updated as vaccines are administered.
It is our policy that students must hand all medication to the nurse. However, we recognise that there may be occasions whereby older students in Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 may be given permission by their parents to self medicate (e.g asthma etc). A letter must be written to the nurse to inform us of this situation.
Infectious or Contagious Diseases
The isolation periods for children suffering from such illnesses are given in the table below and should be followed in all cases. The School insists that the parents acquire a medical certificate from the doctor to confirm that the child is fit to return to school.
*HFMD is a viral illness that is common in infants and children under 10 years of age. It is likely that there will be an outbreak at some point during the school year. The infection causes a fever and blister-like eruptions in the mouth and/or a skin rash which usually appears on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet. This infection is spread from person to person via secretions from the nose, blister fluid, saliva, or faeces of infected persons. The virus is most often spread by persons with unwashed virus-contaminated hands or by contact with virus contaminated surfaces. There is no vaccine for HFMD. Below is the protocol that parents are expected to abide:
● If your child exhibits any symptoms suspected of HFMD, you will be required to take him/her home.
● When the nurse releases the student to your care, please refrain from staying on the school premises afterward. Remember that your child is considered contagious until a further evaluation is made.
● A doctor’s examination will be necessary for an accurate diagnosis. Kindly inform the school promptly if HFMD is confirmed.
● After this diagnosis is made, your child must stay at home for 10 days to ensure two incubation periods have passed, therefore decreasing the risk of transmission. A doctor’s clearance letter will be required thereafter.
Other Childhood Conditions
Conjunctivitis Exclusion from school until eyes are back to normal
Head Lice Exclusion from school until treatment has started
Impetigo Exclusion from school until treatment has started
Verruca Sores must be covered before participation in any aquatic activity