Medical Care

Medical Needs
When you enrol your child in school, please ensure that the school and the School Health Service are aware of any special medical conditions or requirements your child may have. It is also vital that you give the School Office telephone numbers where you can be contacted during the school day, in case of emergency. The school will contact you immediately if your child has to be sent home because they are ill or is going to hospital because of an accident. Please inform the school immediately of any change to contact telephone number.

Throughout your child’s time at primary and secondary school, a team of specialist health service professionals will see your child from time to time for routine tests, such as for tests for sight, hearing and speech. These tests will only be carried out with your consent. You have the right to be present at any medical examination. If you do not wish your child to undergo these tests, please let the school know at the start of the school session. Naturally, if your child undergoes these tests and requires treatment, you will be informed and asked to consent.

Procedure for Health Care Needs

A Handbook of Procedures for Management of Pupils with Health Care Needs has been prepared by the City of Edinburgh Council and NHS Lothian to assist schools in meeting the health care needs of pupils. By working in partnership with parents/carers, pupils and health professionals, schools will be able to support pupils who have health care needs in a safe, efficient and secure environment. This includes pupils who require medication during the school day. These procedures will be carried out by school staff who have access to clear instructions and appropriate training.

The majority of pupils do not have health care needs which require day-to-day support in school. Those pupils who do have health care needs may require support in school for

a short period of time, requiring minimal support, eg taking antibiotics until the course is finished or having mobility problems due to having to wear a leg cast
ongoing minimal daily support due to a long term condition
medication to be held in school in case certain symptoms occur, including medication to prevent or minimise an emergency situation, eg asthma inhaler (blue) or adrenaline pen for severe allergies
certain conditions which require clinical tests to manage their condition, eg diabetics

The Handbook of Procedures contains a number of new forms which parents will now require to complete in the event of their child requiring day-to-day support. These forms are available from reception and have been posted on the school website below. The relevant forms must be completed before any member of staff can administer medication. We can, therefore, no longer accept notes from parents.

With regard to dosage, NHS Lothian have suggested that where your child requires to take medicine 3 times a day there should be no requirement for it to be administered during school hours. Medicines that need to be taken 4 times a day will obviously require to be administered once during the school day.

If you have any questions regarding the above or would like copies of any of the forms below please e-mail admin@sciennes.edin.sch.uk or telephone 0131 667 1243.

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