Health Centre News
By Nurse Cecile
ASTHMA
Every year there is a sharp rise in the number of asthma attacks for children when they return to school in the beginning of the year. Our staff are trained in first aid and the management of asthma in accordance with the Asthma Guidelines for Australian Schools.
Sometimes it is hard to know if a persistent cough is asthma or not, and only your doctor can diagnose this. This information may be helpful for you to watch.
We ask that parents visit their health professionals regularly to assess their child and update their child’s Asthma Action Plan for use at school at the beginning of the year and as their child’s condition changes. This ensures we are compliant with DET guidelines and regulations. It is also important for your child to bring their reliever medication and spacer to school for use when needed. Please ensure it is clearly labelled and with a current action plan. It will be kept in your child’s classroom so they can access it at any time whilst at school.
Parents may also find it helpful to download the Asthma Aust app
This app is an educational tool for people with asthma, their families and carers. It provides easy access to the asthma first aid steps required in an attack including training scenarios.
If you have any concerns regarding your child’s asthma, please feel free to contact me.
FIRST AID IN SCHOOLS PROGRAM
This week our grade 2 students took part in the First Aid in Schools Program. Our school has been involved in this program for 6 years teaching all our students how to respond in the event of an emergency. The program is fun, interactive and held onsite in the classrooms. It is offered free to all Victorian students and has benefitted families with students using their knowledge and skills when first aid has been required at home.
All our students at BPS will be involved in this program this year.
The First Aid Action Hero App is a free app to download and help children learn what they can do in an emergency. It is a fun way for children to learn how to be able to respond in a calm and effective way and the children love it! You may find it beneficial to download the app onto a device to use with them.
Responses from children after the session:
“It was fun and I learnt so much”
“It is good to know you can call 000 if you don’t know the passcode for someone’s mobile”
“I know to check for Danger first when I see an emergency”
“I like learning about first aid because it helps me”
