COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

PR-5-4

PROCEDURAL DOCUMENT

Effective Date: 12-Oct-09

Rationale

Plateau School is committed to a positive approach in dealing with any serious communicable disease including Hepatitis B and C, TB, HIV/AIDS etc.  This policy sets out how all the parties interests can be maintained, and how the health and human rights of those with communicable diseases can be protected. 

Purposes

To ensure that students with communicable disease have the same degree of confidentiality as accorded to any other medical condition.

To guarantee to staff and students with communicable diseases the same rights to work and study as others with a medical condition.

To make staff and students aware of the dangers of communicable diseases and establish sensible hygienic practices. 

Guidelines

Individuals or families are not obliged to disclose their medical status.  The school can neither confirm nor deny rumours about any medical condition; disclosure is a decision left entirely up to the person or family concerned.

The Principal is to assess the risk that a known communicable disease may present to the staff and students at the school. If deemed to be a significant risk the Principal may require the student or staff member to remain at home until medical clearance is given for return to school.

Application from prospective students or staff to join the school will not be turned down on the basis of any known medical condition.

Where a staff member or student’s ability to perform normal work is in question, the situation will be considered in the same way as for any case of serious illness.

Education about the prevention of communicable diseases should take place in the context of the school health/human relationship programme.

The school will have on display an effective set of hygiene practices for the handling of blood and should have the equipment needed to give effect to these procedures.  All staff should be fully aware of the procedures, and training provided when necessary.

In the specific case of Hepatitis B, shoes must be worn in the playground.

Conclusion

This procedural document should ensure that the potentially emotive elements of communicable diseases are minimised and that individual medical conditions are dealt with in the context of a healthy living environment.