Barnhill Community High School

Medical and Welfare

If a student is feeling unwell and comes to Medical/Welfare, these are the procedures: 

Minor Illnesses

Pharmacies across England are now offering a service for children and adults called Pharmacy First. 

What is Pharmacy First?
This NHS service allows children and adults to get quick access to healthcare advice as they can walk into a pharmacy and access the service, removing the potential delay of having to wait for a GP appointment. The person will be offered a consultation with a pharmacist in a private consultation room, with some pharmacies also offering the service remotely as a video consultation.

The service supports the following conditions:  

  • Earache (ages 1 to 17 years)  
  • Impetigo (ages 1 year and over)  
  • Infected insect bites (age 1 year and over)  
  • Sore throats (age 5 years and over)  
  • Shingles (age 18 years and over)  
  • Sinusitis (age 12 years and over)  
  • Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women (ages 16 to 64 years)   

The pharmacist will provide advice and, if clinically necessary, a prescription medicine to treat the condition. Any medicines are supplied free of charge to children under 16 years, with the normal NHS prescription charge rules applying to people aged 16 or over. Should the pharmacist be unable to help, they will direct the person to their GP surgery or other health professional.  We have developed an animation to explain about the service which is available on YouTube and more information can also be found on the NHS website at nhs.uk/thinkpharmacyfirst 

Colds and Flu 

  • An assessment will be carried out - Questions asked about symptoms they may have or had recently. 
  • Temperature checked, visible symptoms checked. 
  • If there is no temperature (38 or above), the student will return to their lessons. 
  • The student will be given the advice to come back if they are still feeling unwell during their next break, or with any escalation in symptoms. 

Feeling nauseous

  • An assessment will be carried out - Questions asked about symptoms they may have or had recently.
  • Temperature checked, visible symptoms checked.
  • A sick bowl is given.
  • If the student has vomited in the last 48 hours (confirmed by the Medical/Welfare staff and parents), they will need to go home. Students cannot be in school for 48 hours after the last time they vomited.

Medical Conditions

  • If the student has a medical condition, proof from the GP/Hospital is required as evidence with a Care Plan.
  • Email: enquiries@barnhill.school with any medical condition updates, accompanied by evidence from the GP/Hospital.
  • Asthma pumps and spacers should be brought into school every day and the student should always have the pump and spacer on them at ALL times.
  • Emergency asthma pumps and spacers are located on every floor.
  • Epi-pens should be with the student at all times, spares can be kept in the medical room.
  • Medication can only be accepted if it has been prescribed by a GP/hospital and it will be locked away in the medicine cabinet.

Please note: Parent/Guardians will be contacted if a student vomits, has a serious injury/head injury or a high temperature (38 degrees or above).