Medical needs in school
Our medical services aim to provide each child with optimum health care, health surveillance and health education.
When your child joins Meath, you will meet with the Residential Services Manager to discuss your child’s health needs and to compile their medical history.
Our Residential Services Manager is responsible for compiling healthcare plans, reviewing medical policies and procedures, and ensuring all staff have up-to-date knowledge and training to meet the needs of pupils.
If a boarding pupil is suffering from any illness which requires full-time care, arrangements will be made for the child to go home.
Staff across all departments are trained in paediatric first aid, and we ensure that there is always a qualified first-aider on site. Staff are also trained to manage specific medical needs (for example, epilepsy, peg feeding and epipen administration).
First Aid kits are available in multiple locations throughout the school, as well as in each school vehicle.
We have a well-equipped dispensary with approved systems for storing and dispensing medication. Administration of drugs is strictly monitored and recorded.
If a pupil becomes ill while at school, he or she is looked after in the dispensary. If the child is incapable of continuing with school lessons, he/she will need to be collected from school where possible, or looked after by a Learning Support Assistant. Parents or carers will always be informed.
If a boarding pupil is suffering from any illness which requires full-time care, arrangements will be made for the child to go home.
Our medical policy contains full details of staff training, the procedures we follow to dispense medication and prevent/respond to accidents and illness.
At Meath we support children with eating and drinking difficulties. When a child joins the school and there are concerns about their eating, drinking or swallowing, a referral can be made to Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) for an assessment. Where appropriate Occupational Therapy and SLT are involved in assessing their needs. These children can include those with oro-motor difficulties, picky eaters and some children with sensory difficulties.
Where appropriate the following information can be provided:
- A description of the level of risk around eating and drinking
- A Meal Time Management Plan
- Provision and review of functional targets to improve eating and drinking skills
- Key information and training with the team around the child.
If you need us to administer medication, please complete the form via ParentMail using your logon details. Click here to access ParentMail.
