Our Health Philosophy

  • Our health philosophy is to promote good physical and mental health in children and young adults.
  • To provide excellent health care and advice to students giving them the opportunity to make informed decisions on their own health.
  • Students are able to discuss medical or other concerns with the health care team, here at BHS.
  • We work closely with the Safeguarding Hub where students have full access to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

The Service

The Health Team consists of a Paediatric Trained Nurse with 25 years experience in Paediatric hospitals and triaging Emergency Departments in the UK. He is supported by a Health Care Assistant and an established administrator.

Buckswood Health Service (BHS) is situated in a purpose built, detached building within the school grounds. It has two consulting rooms where students can be confidentially medically assessed and are given the opportunity to speak privately with a member of the team. We also have a suite of rooms where the health staff are able to care for students who are too unwell for school but do not need referring.

On the rare occasions after a nursing assessment, a student needs referring to an emergency department or GP, this will be organised. We will always contact parents and liaise in these cases and keep them updated with any developing situations with their child. We will always escort them to hospital in these cases.

Parents are encouraged to arrange routine dental and eye care appointments when the student is at home. However, in the case of an emergency, appointments with local dentists and opticians can be arranged (although there may be a charge for treatment and we will need specific consent from parents). Counselling, Opticians, Osteopaths and Chiropodists can also be accessed once parents have consented to treatment. We will always seek your written consent before arranging any appointments that are not covered through the NHS.

Safeguarding

We recognise the importance of safeguarding our students here on site and in the wider world. We recognise our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all its pupils and those enrolled. Every employee, Fellow, contractor or volunteer who assists at Buckswood is under a general legal duty and are aware of the school’s child protection procedures, to know how to access them and to follow them.

Fraser Guidelines

Many of the pupils at Buckswood School are between the ages of 12 and 16 years.  It is important that we draw your attention to the ‘Fraser Guidelines’.

Gillick competency and Fraser guidelines refer to a legal case which looked specifically at whether doctors should be able to give contraceptive advice or treatment to under 16-year-olds without parental consent. But since then, they have been more widely used to help assess whether a child has the maturity to make their own decisions and to understand the implications of those decisions. Further information is available in the Factsheet below:

https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/child-protection-system/gillick-competence-fraser-guidelines

 

Medication

We give students appropriate medication for common illnesses, such as colds; coughs; viral infections; sore throats; stomach aches etc. We use medicines that are readily available over the counter in the UK and work within Homely Medicine Policy. If necessary, we will liaise with the GP, who may prescribe other medication such as antibiotics.

We ask that students do not bring medicines or supplements to school, as we will provide them with what they need. However, if they do need to take regular prescribed medicines for a diagnosed illness, then it is absolutely vital that we have accurate health information, including copies of prescriptions.

Any medicines not recorded on the medical form, or with the above details, will be confiscated and returned to your child to take home at the end of term.

When can students see us?

The health centre is open to all students from 8.30am until 4.15pm Monday – Friday.

The BHS Team will provide a comprehensive hand over to the House Parents, any health concerns which have happened during the day and appropriate advice will be given.

What we need from you

Please complete the school online medical form when you enrol your child. This form ensures we have correct medical details from your family’s doctor and health care systems about any allergies or illnesses your child may have prior to their arrival. It is essential this form is completed to ensure best medical care, including parental consent for us to treat and dispense prescribed medicines.

The medical forms can be found online in our Useful Forms. If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact us by email: nurses@buckswood.co.uk

The National Health Service

It is important for all boarders studying at Buckswood School to have arrangements made for them to access health care while they are studying in the UK. All boarders who are studying at Buckswood School will be registered with the doctors at Harold Road Surgery in Hastings. Short term students who have not paid the health surcharge should have medical insurance arranged for the duration of their stay in the UK. Please provide evidence of one of the above with you on your arrival at Buckswood School.

Emergency care in the UK is initially free. Any further treatment will be charged by admitting Hospital Trust.

 

Local Facilities

The practice where Buckswood School boarders are registered is Harold Road Surgery in Hastings, TN35 5NH this is easily accessible by car from the school.

The Conquest Hospital is a general hospital with an Accident and Emergency department, situated 10 minutes (by car) from the school.

Please feel free to contact us about your child’s health at any time. Our email address is nurses@buckswood.co.uk

It is important to us in BHS that we provide the best health service possible for your child. We will endeavour to do this with empathy, understanding and integrity.

We will listen to you child and offer the best support we can, signposting to other paediatric services appropriately if we cant.

Our priority is to keep all students well and safe, to let them grow and enjoy life here at Buckswood School.

The Buckswood Person

The School Support Mechanisms that help and encourage each student

The Buckswood Person
Medical Form