Swine Flu - Guidance to Parents, Staff and Pupils

1. WHAT TO DO IF YOU EXPERIENCE SYMPTOMS (COUGHS, SNEEZES, RUNNY NOSE, HEADACHES, MUSCULAR DISCOMFORT, RAISED TEMPERATURE)

a. At Home:

(i) Contact the National Pandemic Flu helpline or your GP.

(ii) Stay at home if a case of Swine Flu is confirmed.

(iii) Notify your Line Manager or College reception.

(iv) Remain at home until the symptoms clear; do not return to College until you have been seen by the College Medical Centre staff and cleared to do so.

b. At Work:

(i) Notify your Line Manager.

(ii) Go Home.

(iii) Contact the National Pandemic Flu Helpline.

(iv) Remain at home until the symptoms clear; do not return to College until you have been seen by the College Medical Centre staff and cleared to do so.

c. While at College: Pupils who display symptoms should notify their teachers / Housemaster / Housemistress and report straight to the Medical Centre.

(i) Day pupils displaying symptoms will need to be collected straight away, as soon as a parent/guardian is informed.

(ii) Boarding pupils will be quarantined immediately .

2. PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN BEFORE AND DURING AN OUTBREAK

a. Line managers are to conduct risk assessments in those areas where conditions or work practices might increase the risk.

b. Teaching staff should remind all pupils of the importance of hand washing and ensure that gel stations are used where provided.

c. Staff and pupils in high risk categories with underlying medical conditions should notify their Line Manager or superiors and take additional precautions to avoid infection.

d. Anyone who is – or thinks they might be – pregnant should notify the Medical Centre, their Line Manager or their superiors immediately, so that action can be taken immediately to minimise the risk of infection. High risk staff and pupils may be advised to stay at home during the peak phase of the outbreak. The College Medical Centre will advise those individuals accordingly.

e. Any member of staff forced to take time of work to care for a partner or dependant suffering from Swine Flu should seek approval from their Line Manager before proceeding on leave. In legitimate cases of absence, the College may authorise paid leave to cover the period of absence.

f. During an outbreak, staff may be required to undertake additional duties and work additional hours to fulfil the teaching and supervisory duties of absent colleagues.

g. All staff should make themselves familiar with the College Swine Flu Policy and Action plan.

h. All queries of an operational nature should be directed to the Senior School Deputy Head or Junior School Head, whereas medical questions should be directed to Sister Jo Holl. Additional information is also readily available online at: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Swineflu/DG_177831

Bursar (15th September 2009)