Parents' Guide to Boarding

7 Looking after the health of the boarding community. + Drugs, alcohol and smoking and management of disciplinary incidents The whole-school policies on drugs and substances, alcohol and smoking apply to boarders. Boarders over the age of 18 however may sign out to a pub with the housemaster’s permission, and on occasion, the housemaster may offer an alcoholic drink to sixth form students at house social occasions. The whole-school policy on guidelines for disciplinary interviews with boys will be followed in any disciplinary investigation. Parents will be informed of any serious incident or disciplinary matter involving their son. The Health Centre Telephone: 01235 849059 Duty mobile: 07748 591057 Email: [email protected] The Health Centre is open 08.00 - 19.30 Monday to Friday and 09.00– 17.00 on Saturdays. One of the Health Centre team is then on call outside these hours. Boys may visit to discuss health matters or any other concerns. The Heath Centre has a treatment room and two, two-bedded rooms. The Health Centre Team is made up of: the Senior Nurse (previously a Nurse Practitioner in A/E with previous school nursing experience), Assistant Nurse and three Health Care Assistants all with a wealth of experience. A doctor, the Senior Nurse, a paramedic, physiotherapist and first-aiders provide pitch-side support for rugby and football matches. The School Medical Officer, Dr Khan, is an experienced doctor from The Malthouse Surgery in Abingdon and boys are registered with him. Boarders have a brief medical examination soon after arrival at Abingdon. This also informs us about any medical problems your son may have and allows him to familiarise himself with the Health Centre. Any significant medical condition your son is diagnosed with needs to be communicated to the Heath Centre and your son’s Housemaster. The Doctor holds a weekly surgery at 08.00 every Tuesday in the Health Centre, and boys may also have appointments at the Malthouse Surgery at other times. Boys may see the doctor on their own. An Out of Hours service is available at Abingdon Hospital. NHS or Private Referrals from the GP can be made on the NHS. Many parents have private health cover and the school also offers a scheme through the Bursary. Parents will be notified of referrals to consultants. Boarders may be accompanied to appointments either by parents, if practicable, or a member of school staff. Medication Below is guidance regarding medication and its use at school: Please only provide a small initial supply of essential medications, such as asthma inhalers, Epipens and prescription medications. All medications must be in a named pharmacy-labelled container in English. We cannot accept medications which do not have instructions in English. All subsequent medication will be provided on prescription through the School Health Centre On arrival, all medications must be listed and handed to the Senior Nurse or Matron before you leave. This includes all natural and herbal remedies. Where appropriate, boys may be authorised to store and administer their own medication. Medicines should be locked away in their rooms. Your son will be advised which medicines he may hold himself and which may be stored in the Health Centre. Sixth formers may hold a small supply of pain-relieving medication such as Paracetamol or Ibuprofen but these must be listed on the medications list. Boys who carry Epipens must provide a minimum of 2 Epipens on arrival. One is carried at all times, and a spare is held in house. Matrons and house staff can issue simple pain-relieving medications and throat lozenges.