The Health Protection Agency (HPA) plays a critical role nationally in protecting people from infectious diseases and in preventing harm from chemicals, poisons and radiation. The Coventry and Warwickshire Health Protection Unit provides those services locally. The Unit has produced guidance (Word doc 204k) covering a range of issues such as prevention and control, general hygiene, exclusion guidelines and vulnerable children. This includes details about action for settings in the event of particular types of infections such as MRSA, Meningitis and Gastro infections (stomach upsets).
The HPA and Department of Health have produced a poster for Schools and Early Years Settings (PDF 545k) which gives general guidance about preventing infections, common conditions and exclusion periods, good hygiene practice, animals and trips, immunisation and pregnancy.
More information about specific infectious diseases is available in fact sheets (Word doc.139k) produced by the Coventry and Warwickshire Health Protection Unit. Further detail is available from the A-Z index on the HPA website.
Immunisation and vaccination : Local GPs can provide details about services in your area. For more general information visit the NHS immunisation website. Directgov is a government website that links to a wide range of public services and provides guidance to parents about children's health issues including immunisation.
One common issue affecting children is head lice. A fact sheet (Word doc139k) provides more information about head lice and there is also guidance from the Healthy Schools Coordinator for schools about informing parents (Word doc.27k) of head lice incidents.
Guidance about infestations (Word doc.113k) such as headlice and about hair and skin care (Word doc.117k) is provided in policy and procedures for looked after children.
By law, doctors are required to notify the City Council (external website) about certain infectious diseases e.g. tuberculosis, food poisoning or other food-borne illnesses.The Food Safety team (external website) inspect premises and investigate food poisoning incidents.
The Food handlers fitness to work policy (PDF 168k) is for City Council employees and covers regulations and guidance about food contamination by infected persons.
Other specific infection and hygiene issues include:
