Policy not to give a child a plaster. WTF ?

Pacing Mule · 01-09-2010 09:50PM #1

My daughter had a fall today in school and grazed her knee. Nothing too major thankfully. However the school did not put a plaster on her apparently because it is policy across the board not to. They can clean out a cut but seemingly applying any sort of dressing is forbidden by guidelines. Has anyone else come across this ?

Are things that bad from a litigation point of view that teachers are forbidden to treat a childs cut or is it a cost cutting measure (pardon the pun) Either way its ridiculous. :rolleyes:

AckwelFoley · 01-09-2010 09:51PM

Pageant Messiah wrote: »

applying any sort of dressing is forbidden by guidelines. :

Nobody wants to be seen dressing someone elses child

Donkey Oaty · 01-09-2010 09:51PM

Pageant Messiah wrote: »

a cost cutting measure (pardon the pun)

Banned aid?

Coriolanus · 01-09-2010 09:54PM

If it was still bleeding after it was cleaned, they'd have put on a plaster I'm sure.
If it wasn't still bleeding wtf was a plaster needed for in the first place?

mike65 · 01-09-2010 09:59PM

Its cos the plaster is pink and therefore to apply it would be to make assumptions about racial identity.

myflipflops · 01-09-2010 10:00PM

Pageant Messiah wrote: »

My daughter had a fall today in school and grazed her knee. Nothing too major thankfully. However the school did not put a plaster on her apparently because it is policy across the board not to. They can clean out a cut but seemingly applying any sort of dressing is forbidden by guidelines. Has anyone else come across this ?

Are things that bad from a litigation point of view that teachers are forbidden to treat a childs cut or is it a cost cutting measure (pardon the pun) Either way its ridiculous. :rolleyes:

Some people are allergic to the adhesive on most plasters. I am for one.

Could be a scenario where guidelines say don't do it in case some kid has a reaction and the parents take action.

Drake66 · 01-09-2010 10:05PM

You don't need to use an adhesive plaster; you could just put a small dressing on it. Crass policy by the school.

Pace2008 · 01-09-2010 10:10PM

myflipflops wrote: »

Some people are allergic to the adhesive on most plasters. I am for one.

Could be a scenario where guidelines say don't do it in case some kid jas a reaction and the parents take action.

Probably this. When you hear of seemingly ridiculous measures like the above, it's not a case of health and safety gone mad. It's because unscrupulous, cash-hungry parents have filed large compensation cases against the schools time and time again, and they have to cover themselves from all angles to protect against such occurrences.

Pacing Mule · 01-09-2010 10:13PM

Drake66 wrote: »

You don't need to use an adhesive plaster; you could just put a small dressing on it. Crass policy by the school.

Apparently it is policy from higher than the school. I'm just wondering is there any teachers out there who could confirm if it's a dept of education policy. I might ask Feeky to check it out with his contact

crosstownk · 01-09-2010 10:13PM

Most cuts and grazes that kids get don't need a plaster. I'll bet OP's daughter is OK and has survived quite nicely without the Elastoplast.

Elliejo · 01-09-2010 10:14PM

It's to do with allergies. Can't take any risk in this day and age with some people hell-bent on litigation at the slightest excuse.

mikemac · 01-09-2010 10:15PM

Reminds me of when I worked in hotels.
Residents calling reception every morning looking for painkillers for their hangovers/
Not a chance were they given as if the resident has a bad reaction, the hotel can get sued.

If something goes wrong with the first aid dressing, maybe there is an infection or allergic reaction then the parents may sue.
Unqualified teacher giving medical care, $$$$

And this is why some schools ban football and running in the schoolyard, kids trip, fall and cut themselves on tarmac and concrete, it's inevitable

easyeason3 · 01-09-2010 10:15PM

If your child gets sick & can't be collected but can be dropped home then a teacher can bring him/ her home but only if there is two other children in the car in case there is a claim that they were subjected to something inappropriate.
Two children need to be in the car with the sick child so that one child isn't alone when the sick child is dropped off.
AFAIK children on a hurling team in training can't be changed if they pee in their pants or they can't be comforted by a hug if they get injured by the trainer. Not sure how true this one is but it just goes to show you how strict things have become.

Coriolanus · 01-09-2010 10:19PM

easyeason3 wrote: »

children on a hurling team in training can't be changed if they pee in their pants

Psh. That's just the gahs way of teaching kids not to piss themselves. Kids these days need to htfu. :pac:

crosstownk · 01-09-2010 10:20PM

easyeason3 wrote: »

If your child gets sick & can't be collected but can be dropped home then a teacher can bring him/ her home but only if there is two other children in the car in case there is a claim that they were subjected to something inappropriate.
Two children need to be in the car with the sick child so that one child isn't alone when the sick child is dropped off.
AFAIK children on a hurling team in training can't be changed if they pee in their pants or they can't be comforted by a hug if they get injured by the trainer. Not sure how true this one is but it just goes to show you how strict things have become.

What a dumbass, hyperreactive society we've become. Lunacy.

mikemac · 01-09-2010 10:22PM

easyeason3 wrote: »

AFAIK children on a hurling team in training can't be changed if they pee in their pants or they can't be comforted by a hug if they get injured by the trainer. Not sure how true this one is but it just goes to show you how strict things have become.

I've done GAA coaching in schools.
You can enter the changing rooms alright but bring a teacher with you, never put yourself on your own in there.
It's not a policy, just to protect yourself as a comment passed and your name is ruined.
Same goes if you take the kids to the swimming pool, two adults at any one time in the changing room

Yeah, you can change children or give them a hug, it's not gone that bad.
Just have a teacher with you
And yes, you need garda vetting which takes aaaaaaages!

Bobby42 · 01-09-2010 10:24PM

absolutely insane, and an example how politically correct/paranoid society has gone! all teachers should be first aid trained. putting on a plaster is not medical treatment. its just aid. how could any one have a problem with first aid being provided to their child? alergic reactions to plasters/dressings are rare and mostly mild.

The Big Red Button · 01-09-2010 10:29PM

I just asked my mum (a vice principal), she says that the policy is there alright, they're not supposed to put on plasters on the kids in case of an allergic reaction.

However their school gets round it by mentioning it on the enrolment form - when the kids are enrolling, the parents have to sign giving permission for the teachers to use plasters if necessary.

byhookorbycrook · 01-09-2010 10:31PM

Sadly schools have been hit badly, so many schools no longer use plasters or alcohol wipes etc. If a child wets themselves two teachers are supposed to supervise them getting changed(as if the child is not embarrassed enough.)
In one of my first jobs, I used to pick up the only infant in the school and his sister and bring them with me. if one were to be sick I'd just bring the other(pre seat belt for kids and booster seats.)Their mom told me laughingly one day that I must have been "tipping on" in the car, becasue the little fella said "Janey Mammy, the teacher do drive quare anf fast of a mornin' "No way you could do it now,even driving at 10km/h
Another day a small child fell and split his head, so I took him to the dr. and he sat on my knee while being treated,as we couldn't get his mum-pre-mobile days,again you'd not do it now.

A girl left our school a year ago to go to another locally and she came back on a visit to our school for some happening or other. I was very fond of her and she ran to me and I gave her a big hug. I suddenly remembered myself and said to her mom that I hoped it was ok. We both agreed that things have gone way too far if you cannot hug a child without wondering if you are thought to be suspect for doing so.It only takes an unfounded allegation to get a teacher suspended and investigated. People will never look at the teacher the same way even if they are cleared, "No smoke without fire" etc. etc.

kippy · 01-09-2010 10:31PM

Bobby42 wrote: »

absolutely insane, and an example how politically correct/paranoid society has gone! all teachers should be first aid trained. putting on a plaster is not medical treatment. its just aid. how could any one have a problem with first aid being provided to their child? alergic reactions to plasters/dressings are rare and mostly mild.

Unfortunately schools have been sued before for this type of thing. Even if the teachers are "first aid" trained.........
It's a sad indictment of how the actions of a few (suing schools for this type of thing) impact on many.
This country has gone way to litigious with a legal system which is easy to abuse and some solicitors who specialise in this sort of thing.
There are lots of people out there who have problems with almost anything happening their child whether it be in the childs best interests or not.

Bazzo · 01-09-2010 10:33PM

Why not just give one of the parents a quick ring to ask if the child is allergic? Surely that'd cover the school from a legal point of view?

Pace2008 · 01-09-2010 10:34PM

Grazed knees are srs business.

kippy · 01-09-2010 10:35PM

Bazzo wrote: »

Why not just give one of the parents a quick ring to ask if the child is allergic? Surely that'd cover the school from a legal point of view?

Not unless all calls were recorded and even then......
You'd be surprised.......

Erica<3 · 01-09-2010 10:38PM

If it was serious enough they would have consulted you before taking any medical action incl plasters.

It's to do with allergies you see, and a kid can't memorise all that stuff and spew it out when they're already panicked and shocked from a fall.

I remember when i was in secondary school and suffering with period cramps and my maths teacher, who was very nice, couldn't give me an anadin for fear i'd be allergic and have a reaction, it'd be her fault, even though i assured her i had no such allergy.

As a crampy 16 year old that REALLY pissed me off.

Mr Benevolent · 01-09-2010 10:40PM

Paedophilophobia is the new witch hunting.

crosstownk · 01-09-2010 10:46PM

It appears I'm lucky to be alive. Especially as I had numerous plasters applied and was given anadin when I was in school.

I'll set up a meeting with my solicitor tomorrow.

eimearcmh · 01-09-2010 10:47PM

chatterpillar wrote: »

I just asked my mum (a vice principal), she says that the policy is there alright, they're not supposed to put on plasters on the kids in case of an allergic reaction.

However their school gets round it by mentioning it on the enrolment form - when the kids are enrolling, the parents have to sign giving permission for the teachers to use plasters if necessary.

Is this the policy in all schools or is it up to the school itself? I did a bit of subbing 2 yrs ago and one of the infants fell in the playground and was brought into the staff room where one of the teachers put a plaster on the child.
A lot can happen in 2 years of course.

myflipflops · 01-09-2010 10:49PM

Confab wrote: »

Paedophilophobia is the new witch hunting.

It's not just about paedophilia.

A small number of over protective parents make it difficult for all the reasonable, sane ones.

It probably not a parent thing either, just a people thing.

I remember working in football camps from when I was in university. Some of the complaints and demands were just mental.

I agree with however said plaster allergies are minor. I come out in a minor rash for a couple of days wherever I apply one and it is no big deal at all. Tell that to a fussy parent though.

Overheal · 01-09-2010 10:51PM

myflipflops wrote: »

Some people are allergic to the adhesive on most plasters. I am for one.

Could be a scenario where guidelines say don't do it in case some kid has a reaction and the parents take action.

Pardon me, I'm only a foreigner, but doesn't the school have access to that sort of information? Emergency contact number, next of kin, known allergies, etc. ?

myflipflops · 01-09-2010 10:54PM

Overheal wrote: »

Pardon me, I'm only a foreigner, but doesn't the school have access to that sort of information? Emergency contact number, next of kin, known allergies, etc. ?

They probably do but just have a very strict policy to completely remove any chance of action against them.

I'm not arguing that this is a good or sensible policy. I was just stating why it was probably there.

I wouldn't blame the school or the authorities though. Rules and legislation like this because of the public attitude really.

Cian92 · 01-09-2010 10:55PM

Yep, it is policy alright! Schools will be brought to court for anything...
You used be able to get paracetamol in my old school if you had a headache (handy as you could stay in school, rather than go home...) but about 2 years ago they stopped all that for fear of a lawsuit :rolleyes:

Policy not to give a child a plaster. WTF ?

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