This information has been provided by the UK Health Security Agency

Fact Sheet for Schools and Parents about Group A Streptococcus

What is Group A Streptococcus?

Group A Streptococcus or Streptococcus pyogenes is a bacterium that can be found in the throat and on the skin. People may carry it and have no symptoms of illness or may develop infection.

How is it spread?

Group A Streptococcus survives in throats and on skin for long enough to allow easy spread between people through sneezing and skin contact. People who are currently carrying the bacteria in the throat or on the skin may have symptoms of illness or they may have no symptoms and feel fine. In both cases, these bacteria can be passed on to others.

In schools, it is recognised that infections can be spread through direct physical contact between children and staff, and through shared contact with surfaces such as tabletops, taps, toys and handles. Therefore, we wanted to highlight the following hygiene and infection control measures:

• Children and adults with streptococcal throat infection (as confirmed by a clinician) or scarlet fever should not return to school until at least 24 hours after starting treatment with an appropriate antibiotic (after 48 hours if treated for impetigo)
• Hand hygiene to be maintained
• Enhanced cleaning of key areas, especially toilets and all-touch surfaces.
• Respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette (Catch It Bin It, Kill It.)
• All scrapes or wounds, especially bites, should be thoroughly cleaned and covered
• Sore throat: parents should follow NHS advice about when to contact their GP or NHS 111 if they are concerned; NHS advice is that children with sore throat and fever should not attend school until well

Please see the links below for further guidance:

https://what0-18.nhs.uk/parentscarers/worried-your-child-unwell/scarlet-fever

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-protection-in-schools-and-other-childcare-facilities (Chapter 9 for disease specific information) for the UKHSA guidance.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/scarlet-fever/  for more information about Scarlet Fever.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/338368/Scarlet_fever_Q_and_A_factsheet.pdf scarlet fever frequently asked questions document

Flu immunisations are delivered annually to children within Hampshire schools, subject to parental consent.

Flu Immunisation Letter to Parents

The School Nursing Team visited QI on Friday, 15th October 2021.

If you missed the text sent out to parents on 23rd September, and would like your child to receive the flu immunisation, please use the following link to arrange an appointment at a local clinic - https://www.southernhealthimmunisations.co.uk/forms/flu  The unique code for QI is SH116248.  

To find an NHS number please use this link: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/online-services/find-nhs-number/

If you experience any problems accessing the form, please telephone 0300 0030323 and the School Nursing Team will be happy to help.

IMPORTANT: If your child attending QI has any symptoms consistent with the coronavirus, your child must stay at home.  These are:

• high temperature
• new continuous cough (coughing a lot for over an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours) 
• loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste

Please telephone us (023 92 268067) to report the presence of possible coronavirus symptoms in your household. If you are able to have your child tested, you will need to tell us the result of that test. 

One of our first aid trained staff will assess any child who feels unwell or sustains an injury during the school day.

We will telephone you if we feel that your child should be at home or needs medical attention. It is therefore very important that we are informed of any changes to contact telephone numbers.

In the unlikely event that we should need to call an ambulance for your child, we will attempt to contact you immediately. If unsuccessful, we will accompany your child to hospital and maintain every effort to contact you.

DURING COVID, we ask that parents give any necessary medicine to their child(ren) BEFORE school.   We are currently only able to administer medicine if it is urgent.

Should your child need medication during school hours, please complete an Administration of Medicines Consent Form, available from the office or to download:

Administration of Medicines Consent Form

Please note that we are unable to give Ibuprofen unless it has been prescribed by your GP. Medicines are administered daily at 11am. Inhalers are kept in classrooms and must be clearly marked with the child’s name. All other medicines must be handed to the school office for safekeeping.

The 0-19 public health nursing contract in Hampshire is currently held by the Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust (SHFT).

Vision Screening: The school nursing team will supply the school with a new parent letter and vision consent form for parents and carers of Year F children, prior to vision screening.

Hearing Screening: This is no longer part of the school entry assessment. Parents with any concerns are advised to access online guidance for information on what to look out for and when to see their GP:

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hearing-loss/symptoms/ 

National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP): This programme involving children in Year F and Year 6 is currently delayed.

ChatHealth 5-19 is a text message advice line for parents of school-aged children in Hampshire. The service operates through a dedicated number - 07507 332417 - Monday to Thursday 9am - 4:30pm, and Friday 9am - 4pm.