Back to School Advise for Parents

Reopening Our Schools: The Roadmap for The Full Return to School was based on public health advice from the HSE’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre.   At North Gate Medical we endorse all children returning to school, as it is important to balance your child’s health with their educational and social needs.

Instead of keeping children out of school, teach them good hand and respiratory hygiene practices for school and elsewhere, like frequent handwashing, covering a cough or sneeze with a flexed elbow or tissue, then throwing away the tissue into a closed bin, and not touching their eyes, mouths or noses if they haven’t properly washed their hands.  

If your child is not displaying any symptoms such as a fever or cough it’s best to keep them in school. 

What Should I do if my child is unwell?

Every year, schoolchildren get colds, flu and other infections.  This time, coronavirus is with us and has naturally increased parent’s anxiety.   However, the HSE have produced a very helpful guide for what symptoms to look out for and what to do if your child/teenager is unwell. Covid-19 Advice for Parents

My child has Asthma should he/she return to school?

Yes.  Your child should return to school. The Asthma Society has developed resources and guidelines to support parents of children with asthma as they readjust to school life during the COVID-19 pandemic.    Life Alongside COVID-19 campaign 

What is a Asthma Action Plan?

My child is healthy but lives with a vulnerable person so should they return to school?

Yes. Your child should return to school. Take appropriate measures by leaving a plastic box at your front door, place personal belongings in it when entering the home. E.g. school bag, shoes and phone.   Encourage your child to wash or shower as soon as they enter the home especially hands, arms and face with soap and hot water.  Wash and disinfect touched surfaces regularly.

Can I get a letter from my GP to confirm that my child has an underlining health condition?

GP’s do not provide sick notes for schools.  If you child is unwell and cannot attend school, your relationship with the school should be such that any concerns over a child’s absence can be resolved without the need for you or the school to ask your GP to provide any supporting evidence.   

Can I get a letter of exemption for a face mask from my GP?

Wearing a face covering is recommended to help stop the spread of COVID-19. In some situations, wearing a face covering is mandatory, and you could be fined or imprisoned if you refuse to wear one without a reasonable excuse.   We recommend that people wear masks where possible. We are not giving out letters of exemption.  For further information on face coverings please click here for  Citizens Information.

Let’s Get Ready

The lives of young children changed suddenly when early learning and childcare services and schools closed in March in response to the COVID-19 emergency. As children prepare to return to early learning and childcare services or make the move to pre-school and school for the first time, parents can be assured that there are a number of actions they can take at home to support these important transitions.  Check out the Let’s Get Ready website for further information