📒Medical Conditions Policy (QA2) (video needed)

National Quality Standard (NQS) - Quality Area 2: Children's Health and Safety

Implementation

Woodlands is committed to adhering to privacy and confidentiality procedures when dealing with individual health requirements. There are a number of concerns that must be considered when a child with a diagnosed health care need, allergy or medical condition is enrolled at the service. Key requirements must be in place prior to the child commencing at the Service to ensure their individual health and safety. 

The Approved Provider/Management will ensure:

• Educators and Staff have a clear understanding of children’s individual medical conditions. 
• Communication between families and Educators is ongoing and effective.
• Educators receive the appropriate training in managing specific medical conditions. 
• There is an Educator in attendance at all times with a current accredited first aid and CPR training for specific medical conditions.
• Educators have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities when caring for children with a medical condition. 
• Families provide required information on their child’s medical condition, including: 

1. Medication 
2. Allergies
3. Medical Practitioner contact details 
4. Medical Management Plan 

• A Medical Management Plan/Risk Minimisation Plan has been developed in consultation with families and the child’s medical practitioner.
• Educators have emergency contact information for the child. 
• Casual Staff is informed of children and staff who have specific medical conditions or food allergies, the type of condition or allergies they have, and the Service’s procedures for dealing with emergencies involving allergies and anaphylaxis.
• To gain permission to display children’s individual medical management plans
• A copy of the child’s medical management plan is visibly displayed and known to staff in the Service.
• A child is not enrolled at the Service without a Medical Management Plan and prescribed medication by their medical practitioner. In particular, a medication that is life-threatening such as asthma inhalers, adrenaline auto-injection devices and Insulin. 

 In the event that a child suffers from the reaction, incident, situation, or event related to a medical condition the Service and staff will:

• Follow the child’s Emergency Medical/Action Plan. 
• Call an ambulance immediately by dialling 000
• Commence first aid measures/monitoring
• Contact the parent/guardian when practicable (within 24 hours)
• Contact the emergency contact if the parents or guardian can’t be contacted when practicable (within 24 hours)
• Notify the regulatory authority (within 24 hours)

Families will ensure 

• They provide management with information about their child’s health needs, allergies, medical conditions, and medication on the enrolment form and through verbal communication/meetings.
• The Service enrolment form is completed in its entirety providing specific details about the child’s medical condition. 
• They notify the Service if any changes are to occur to the Medical Management Plan.
• They provide the required medication and complete the long-term medication record. 
• They provide an updated copy of the child’s Medical Management Plan every 6 months. 

 Medical Management Plan 

Any Medical Management Plan provided by a child’s parents and/or registered medical practitioner.  This Plan should:

• have supporting documentation if appropriate
• include a photo of the child
• if relevant, state what triggers the allergy or medical condition
•  include first aid needed
• Include contact details of the doctor who signed the plan
• state when the plan should be reviewed
• A copy of the Medical Management Plan will be displayed for Educators and Staff to see to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the child. 
• The Service must ensure the medical management plan remains current and up to date all times.

Risk Minimisation Plan 

All children with a diagnosed medical condition must have a risk minimisation plan in place.

 A meeting will be arranged with the parents/guardian as soon as the Service has been advised of the medical condition. During this meeting a risk minimisation plan will be developed in consultation with the parent/guardian to ensure:

• That the risks relating to the child’s specific health care need, allergy or relevant medical condition are assessed and minimised
• That practices and procedures in relation to the safe handling, preparation and consumption and service of food are developed and implemented
• That the parents/families are notified of any known allergens that pose a risk to a child and strategies for minimising the risk are developed and implemented
• Staff Members and volunteers can identify the child, the child’s medical management plan and the location of the child’s medication are developed and implemented
• That the child does not attend the Service without medication prescribed by the child’s medical practitioner in relation to the child’s specific health need, allergy or relevant medical condition
• Plan(s) in conjunction with parents/guardians will be reviewed at least annually and/or will be revised with each change in the Medical Management Plan
• All Relevant information pertaining to the child’s health and medical condition is communicated to parents at the end of each day
• Any Special activities taking places such as celebrations, sporting events and excursions have a plan to maintain safe inclusion of children.
• Appropriate Hygiene practices are followed when managing medical conditions in line with the Control of Infectious Diseases Policy
• Risk minimisation plans will be reviewed in collaboration with families every 6 months

Communication Plan 

A communication plan will be created after the meeting with the parents/guardian to ensure: 

• All relevant staff members and volunteers are informed about the medical conditions policy and the Individual Health Management Plan and Risk Minimisation Plan for the child; and
• An Individual child communication book is created so that a parent can communicate any changes to the Individual Health Management Plan and Risk Management Plan for the child. 

At all times, families who have a child attending the Service who have a diagnosed medical condition will be provided with a copy of this policy which includes a communication plan and any other relevant policies.