Procedures for
Administering First Aid

Guidelines:

1. The BOT will ensure adequate facilities are provided for all children to be attended to following accident or sickness at school.

2. The school will ensure that up-to-date parent telephone contact network is readily accessible so that attention (doctor/hospital) can be given to all pupils without undue delay.

3. All staff should have a basic knowledge of first-aid. Up to four full-time staff members should hold a current First Aid certificate. All staff should undertake a Basic Life Support / Cardio/Pulmonary Resuscitation course. The Board of Trustees will make provision in the staff training budget for these courses. All staff will be made aware of and regularly updated on the condition of and treatment for potentially dangerous conditions e.g. heart conditions, diabetes, severe asthma/allergy, epilepsy etc. SEE NOTES IN FIRST AID FOLDER

4. The school will ensure that a medical profile is kept for each child and that each class teacher has access to this and is aware of any specific medical problems a child may have.

5. First Aid supplies will be budgeted for and the designated first-aider shall ensure that supplies are available in the first-aid room, including travelling kits and duty bag.

6. Safe storage of all medicines is essential. Any prescription medicines will be in locked storage/refrigerator as appropriate. See Appendix 1: GUIDELINES FOR DISPENSING OF PRESCRIPTION MEDICINES

7. During class teaching hours the School Secretary, if present, assumes responsibility for the care of pupils in the sick bay.

8. The teacher on duty is responsible for ensuring that all accidents/injuries in the playground are attended to and if of a serious nature the designated first-aider and senior staff are called.

9. If injury or illness to a child is of a serious nature the parent or caregiver will be called immediately.

10. The decision to call emergency services to the site will be made by the designated first aider or the most senior staff member on site.

11. All injuries that require treatment will be recorded in the accident book.

12. The designated school first-aider or senior staff member will seek specialised help for pupils in the event that the parents cannot be contacted.

13. Head and back injuries are regarded as serious in the first instance and parents are to be informed.

14. When blood is evident, the person treating the injury will wear disposable gloves. Cleaning up and disposal of bloodied materials will follow the procedure as stated on the first aid room wall. See Appendix 2: GUIDELINES FOR INFECTION CONTROL OF HIV/AIDS AND OTHER BLOOD BORNE VIRUSES IN SCHOOLS

15. The school in all matters of health and safety of child acts ‘in loco parentis’ and therefore will give the pupil the care and attention that a prudent parent would.