Health Care

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

* a short period of time, requiring minimal support, e.g. 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, e.g. taking methylphenidate (RitalinTM or EquasymTM) for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), requiring special toileting arrangements or planning rest periods to prevent exhaustion
* medication to be held in school in case certain symptoms occur, including medication to prevent or minimise an emergency situation, e.g. asthma inhaler or adrenaline pen for pupils with severe allergies
* certain conditions which require them to perform clinical tests to help them manage their condition, e.g. blood glucose tests for diabetics
* complex, chronic conditions, not managed with medication, that require more in-depth planning and support, e.g. following a serious head injury.

All school staff have a legal duty to care for pupils, which means that they have an obligation to exercise a level of care towards an individual, as is reasonable in all the circumstances, to avoid injury to that individual. This includes addressing healthcare needs. We work very closely with our School Nurse to manage healthcare needs. Should you require support with a healthcare need being met in school, please arrange to meet with Ms Gilmore in the first instance. 

Please do not bring your child to school if they are unwell. Please click here to read NHS Lothian’s guidance on recommended periods of absence e.g. 48 hours after last episode of sickness or diarrhoea.