Health and Welfare of
Students Policy
2014-15
Health and Welfare of Students Policy 2014-15
Abbey College Cambridge
Health and Welfare Policy Abbey Cambridge and
Alpha Plus Group
Senior Person Responsible for this Policy: Karen Lonsdale
Telephone:
01223 578280
Mobile:
07584 343942
Email:
Karen.Lonsdale@abbeycambridge.co.uk
This policy is reviewed on an annual basis
Annual Policy reviewed by:
Karen Lonsdale
Annual Review date:
September 2014
Next date of Annual Review:
August 2015
This policy has been adopted by the governors, is addressed to all members of staff and volunteers where
appropriate, is available to parents on request and is published on the school's website. It applies wherever
staff or volunteers are working with pupils, including when this involves being away from the school.
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Sep 2014
Health and Welfare of Students Policy 2014-15
Abbey College Cambridge
Health and Welfare of Students Policy 2014-15
Abbey College Cambridge
Introduction
Abbey College promotes and encourages student’s good health and wellbeing.
Students may need medical care during their stay at Abbey College. This policy
ensures that there are clear guidelines and boundaries in the following areas:

College Medical Care

Confidentiality and Data Protection

Students who are unwell

Infectious Diseases

Emergency Procedures

Health Promotion

Administration of/Storage of/ Record Keeping of Medicines/Disposal of
Medicines

Appendices
College Medical Care
The College supports students with Medical needs and employs a Registered Nurse.
Students with Medical needs are identified by completing a Health and Medical
questionnaire prior to joining the College and during induction when all students
meet with and register with the Nurse and the local Doctors Surgery.
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Health and Welfare of Students Policy 2014-15
Abbey College Cambridge
The Nurse will make an appointment with the Doctor for a student with medical
needs and will create an individual Health Care Plan. The Health Care Plan will be
reviewed regularly with the Nurse and student.
Parents and students should provide the college with adequate information about
the student’s medical condition, treatment, or any special care needed at College.
The Nurse is based in the Medical Room in Norman House. Students can contact her
by telephone and are welcome to make an appointment with her to discuss any
Health and Welfare concerns.
The Woodlands Doctors Surgery has appointments available to see students who are
unwell. The Nurse or another member of College Staff can accompany the student to
the appointment.
The Doctor can prescribe medicine and refer students to a specialist Doctor at the
Hospital or other Healthcare agency.
Addenbrookes Hospital is part of the Cambridge University Hospitals and is one of
the largest and best known hospitals in the country.
The Nurse is part of the College Pastoral Care Team and has supervision from the
Vice Principal Pastoral and the Doctors Surgery.
Confidentiality and Data Protection
The Nurse is a member of the Nursing Midwifery Council (NMC), which gives
guidelines regarding confidentiality of clients. Medical information of our students
will remain confidential. However, to provide the best care the Nurse may liaise
with the Vice Principal Pastoral and with the students consent, medical information
and Health Care Plans may be shared with boarding house staff, academic staff, First
aiders and parents/guardians/agents.
Students sign an agreement to allow their medical conditions to be made available
on Daybook and in the student’s file.
College Staff, the student and parents should work together to ensure the Health,
Safety and Welfare of that student.
The Data protection Act 1998 protects the rights and privacy of individuals.
Confidential medical documentation is kept in a locked filing cabinet in the Nurses
Room.
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Health and Welfare of Students Policy 2014-15
Abbey College Cambridge
Students who are unwell
In order to provide full medical care, including dental and optical attention, every
student who is unwell must report to the boarding team and call the College before
9am. It is recommended that they come into College and attend an appointment
with the Nurse. If a student is too unwell to attend College the student must speak to
the Nurse over the telephone. The Nurse will assess the student’s medical condition
and arrange appropriate medical care for the student and if necessary make a home
visit.
If a student is unwell in College they will need to report to the Nurse, their Personal
Tutor or Vice Principal Pastoral.
CSAS will only be allowed to leave early and return to the boarding accommodation
if a member of staff or host parent is there to look after them. All unwell CSAS will
have a home visit from the Nurse
Students must follow the College Illness and Absence Procedures.
Infection Diseases
It is recommended by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) that students have had
the following vaccinations: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio, Meningitis C, Measles,
Mumps and Rubella (2 doses), BCG. The Doctors Surgery will offer all vaccinations
(including Travel Vaccinations) and there may be a charge for these. If a student has
not received 2 doses of MMR and Meningitis C, these vaccinations will be offered to
them free of charge.
A student with a suspected infectious disease will have this confirmed by the
Doctor. Arrangements will be made for the student to be isolated from other
students and cared for by College Staff. A designated sick room is available in the
Milton Road boarding house to accommodate CSA Students.
GOOD HYGIENE PRACTICE:
Hand washing is one of the most important ways of controlling the spread of
infections, especially those that cause diarrhoea and vomiting and respiratory
disease. The recommended method is the use of liquid soap, water and paper towels.
Always wash hands after using the toilet, before eating or handling food, cover all
cuts and abrasions with water proof dressings.
Coughing and sneezing easily spread infections and College members should be
encouraged to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue. Wash your hands after
using or disposing of tissues. Spitting should be discouraged.
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Abbey College Cambridge
All spillages of blood, faeces, saliva, vomit, nasal, and eye discharges should be
cleaned up immediately using an effective disinfectant. (always wear Personal
Protective Equipment). When spillages occur, clean using a product which combines
both a detergent and a disinfectant. A spillage kit is available for blood spills.
Emergency Procedures
The Site Manager is the Colleges Fire officer, Health and Safety officer and First Aid
officer.
An emergency is a situation that poses an immediate risk to health, life, property or
environment. It is the duty of the person who discovers an injury or illness to
summon assistance from the First Aid teams. The boarding team and designated
staff are trained in First Aid.
In an emergency 999 should be called immediately. If a student needs to go to
hospital a member of staff will accompany them. The Pastoral Care team will be
informed and necessary arrangements made. An accident report form will be
completed. Staff should not take students in their own car.
The College will undertake to inform the parent/guardian/agent and keep them
updated.
Any student considered to be at risk of abuse should be referred to the Child
Protection Officer. Refer to the Child Protection section of this handbook.
Students with mental health issues will be dealt with on a case by case basis by the
School Nurse and Child Protection Officer.
Health Promotion
The College promotes good health and healthy living practices. There is a
comprehensive PSHE programme delivered to all students. In addition regular
assemblies are held inviting guest speakers from local health agencies.
The Nurse provides health advice and information. She has a library of health
leaflets and books and has contacts with local and nationwide health agencies.
Healthy eating is encouraged and Boarding House students have a well balanced
healthy diet.
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Abbey College Cambridge
There is a No Smoking Policy and students are given all support and encouragement
if they wish to stop smoking.
Administration of Medicines
Medicines in the Medical room are kept within a secure, locked cupboard and a
refrigerator is available (also in the Milton Road boarding house). The Nurse keeps a
list of non-prescription medication that is stocked in the Medical Room and records
details of administration - date, name, dosage and contraindications.
There is a Homely Remedy Protocol which adheres to The NMC Guidelines. This is
updated annually. The parents of Compulsory School Age Students (CSAS) sign a
Parental agreement form prior to joining the College to give permission for their
child to receive emergency treatment and non-prescriptive medicines.
Students who need to take medication at College are involved as closely as possible
in the arrangements made for them. Students who self administer will be assessed
by the Nurse as competent to do so (Gillick competent).
Students will be allowed to take medication during college hours in order to
minimize the disruption which could be caused by illness. Normally students will
carry their own medicines on their person.
Students are encouraged to discuss any health and welfare concerns with The
Pastoral Care Team, their Personal tutor, Head of Year, Boarding House staff and the
Doctor. Appointments with these and external health care agencies can be easily
arranged.
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