Specialised health procedures
Schools ensure students with specialised health needs, including those
requiring specialised health procedures, have access to a reasonable standard of
support for their health needs whilst attending school or school-based
activities. This means that appropriate health plans are developed and followed
for students with specialised health needs, that staff are aware of the
student's medical condition and that an appropriate number of staff have been
trained to support the student's health condition.
Medication
Schools require medical authorisation from the student's prescribing health
practitioner and written instructions from the parent to administer any
medication to students (both prescription and non-prescription).
For students with a long term health condition requiring medication, parents
need to provide the school with a Request
to administer medication at school (PDF, 85 KB) form signed by the prescribing
health practitioner.
Every school maintains a minimum of one adrenaline auto-injector and asthma
reliever/puffer, stored in the school's/campus first aid kit to provide
emergency first aid medication if required.
Contagious conditions
Although there are
many infectious diseases that are contagious and require a period of removal (or
time out) from
school to prevent their spread, not all diseases are covered by the Public Health Act 2005 (Qld). The responsibilities outlined below apply only to the specific
conditions which are prescribed under the Public Health Act 2005 (Qld). The list of prescribed conditions may change from time to time
and it is important to consult with the closest Public Health Unit (PHU) within Queensland Health if concerns are raised by the school
community.
If a suspected outbreak of
a contagious condition takes place within a school, it is vital that steps are
taken by the principal and school staff to protect the health of the school
community in a timely manner.
Some medical conditions require a period of removal
from school to prevent the spread of infectious diseases among staff and
students. A period of removal could apply to either the person with the
infection and/or a person exposed to someone with the infection. Queensland
Health recommends minimum periods of removal for infectious conditions in the Time out (PDF, 27 KB) poster.