■ Do not administer First Aid unless you are qualified
■ Do not provide any pupil or member of staff with any form of medicine
A notable exception! You may administer an epipen or equivalent to a pupil who is having an anaphylactic reaction but only if you understand the procedure or have had the appropriate training.
Know the First Aiders in school and the location of First Aid boxes. The stocking of First Aid boxes is the responsibility of the Authority and is usually delegated to the designated First Aider.
Teachers of practical subjects should have instructions on the action to be taken in case of accidents.
Latex free gloves must be available for use when required. Such gloves should be used in situations where contact with spilt bodily fluids is likely. Cleaning up after any incident is not the responsibility of the teacher.
There should be an ‘At Risk’ list available to all staff and you should be familiar with the problems of pupils you teach regularly and the action to be taken if they become unwell. Care should be taken with “Please Take” classes. In an ideal world you would have time to check for medical problems but in reality, you will probably not be able to do this. Err on the side of caution. It is worth remembering that pupils who have chronic medical problems, have friends who may well understand these problems, know what to do and who to contact when problems arise.
Most First Aid is common sense. If a pupil is in obvious distress, send them with an escort, if required, to the Medical Room with a covering note. If the pupil has difficulty moving (severe asthma attack, injured leg, epileptic fit or hypo-glaecemic attack etc.) send for the First Aider.
If in doubt call for help or DIAL 999, if necessary.
Above all, follow agreed school procedures.
Paper hankies and towels may be given to pupils who are bleeding. Pupils should be advised to apply pressure to reduce blood loss unless there could be glass in the wound.
NOTE - All blood-soiled waste should be disposed of correctly into an appropriately labelled container in your First Aid room and not placed in the normal waste.
