[Rachaelxxx]

Does your primary school have a first aid officer in charge of the sick bay or does your school have a school nurse. For those that only have a first aid officer, would you prefer a school nurse or are you happy with the duty of care the kids are receiving.

I'm also curious to ask that if your child was sent home from school because he/she said they were feeling really unwell and then you got them home and they seemed fine, would you be mad at the school for a misdiagnoses or more upset with your child for playing up his/her symptoms.

This post has been edited by Rachaelxxx: 12/12/2012, 10:11 AM

[Mianta]

Well, I am pretty sure my children's school only has first aid officers, who are also the office staff. As long as there is someone trained in first aid on site, I am really not bothered if they are a nurse or not.

As for the "misdiagnosis" issue, well nurses can't diagnose illnesses either. So, if your child managed to pull the wool over their eyes, then it is the issue with the child not the staff. My children have been in trouble when they pretended to be sick, forced the school staff to call us, meaning we had to leave our jobs early, only to get the child home and find that they are fine. What are staff meant to do if a child comes up to them and say they have had diarrheoa (which is what my children have used as an excuse)?

This post has been edited by Mianta: 12/12/2012, 10:21 AM

[Jacoby28]

my children's school only has first aid officers, who are also the office staff.

Same.

I used to get out of High school all the time. We had a nurse and I just said I felt unwell and she always said Yes you look pale (Hmm yeah I am a red head and have fair skin).
A nurse can't always tell if a child is lying. Same if you go to the ER looking for drugs I guess.

[Rachaelxxx]

Thanks guys, I'm just curious to know because our school is the same, our office staff are trained in first aid and look after the sick kids and there are a few mums complaining, almost demanding a school nurse because they feel there have been a few instances when parents have been rung to come and collect sick kids, that have turned out to be fine.

[Overtherainbow]

I'd be upset with the child but would be working out why hey wanted to wag. We're they dealing with a friendship/bullying issue, nervous about a test, hadn't finished homework, feeling too tired, just didn't want to be there.

If a child lies, it's not the school's fault. It's the child's fault.

After a chat to make sure nothing else is happening, I'd send them to bed with a book to spend the rest of day in bed. No tv, computers or playing, just rest. If there was something else going on we'd deal with that.

[FloralArrangemen...]

Being trained in first aid myself I am more than happy that we have first aid trained staff. I see no need for a school nurse, what could she actually do better anyway if a kid needs secondary medical attention or needs to go home how would the Nurse's procedure be any different to a first aid officer? It's not like the nurse will undertake medical procedures at the school ie stitches

[Julie3Girls]

If a child comes in saying they are feeling sick in the tummy, they want to throw up, how would a school nurse be any more likely be able to tell if the child is faking?

At our school, it is simply the office staff. Who I assume are first aide trained. I find the staff are pretty good. Our school is reasonable small, and the office staff tend to get to know the kids. If they are having a run of "illness" with a particular child, they will chat on the phone to the parent and work out the best course of action.

If the parents are finding their kids are going home sick and fine as soon as they get home, they need to work on this with their kids, not blame the staff.

I can just imagine what would happen if a child complaining of a sore tummy was kept at school because the staff thought she was faking, and then proceeded to throw up everywhere "Why didn't you ring me when my child said she was feeling sick?"

[soontobegran]

Thanks guys, I'm just curious to know because our school is the same, our office staff are trained in first aid and look after the sick kids and there are a few mums complaining, almost demanding a school nurse because they feel there have been a few instances when parents have been rung to come and collect sick kids, that have turned out to be fine.

I don't think it would make any difference whether it was a nurse or First aid attendant to be honest.The nurse still has a duty of care to act on what the child is complaining about even if she thinks she is being fooled. It is just too dangerous to decide a child is faking it. If your friends want a school nurse they'll have to be prepared that some program's the school runs will be cut and fees will go up to pay her/his wage.

[Carmen02]

our school have first aid officers mostly office staff or aide staff that do it. More then happy with them! Especially when DS hurt his wrist badly at school and putting up with my DD who does everything in her books to try get out of school, they make them sit with a cup of water and watch them for 10 mins and if nothing happens they go back to class being watched. school nurses arent needed in my opinon

[lsolaBella]

First aid officers and happy with that too.

As for kids faking illness... I would be talking to my kids.