Health Services

School Nurse

The school nurse works mainly for pre-scheduled health check-ups. Walk- in times are on Mondays and Wednesdays at 11.30-12.30 when student may come to meet nurse without prior appointment. For urgent medical attention students are advised to go to their nearest health care center (Kontinkankaan hyvinvointikeskus, Kajaanintie 46A, 1st floor). If a parent has to stay away from work to look after a child under the age of 10-12 (depends on the guardian's employer), our school nurse can provide a certificate about it for their employer. 

New families moving to Oulu are asked to submit their child's immunization documents to school nurse as soon as possible. The school health care is responsible for administering vaccinations according to the national immunization program.

Health check-ups are provided annually during the student's entire school career, in which their condition and development are followed. Extensive health check-ups are offered for students in grades 1, 5 and 8 by the School Nurse and Doctor. Studens of other grades have a shorter health check-up. Guardians are notified by the School Nurse through Wilma about booking and the contents of the health check-up. Additional check-ups can be administered if necessary.

The school has an emergency first aid kit to provide immediate care for bruises and cuts. Only the nurse is allowed to give painkillers to students. In case of a more serious accident or injury, parents are contacted as soon as possible and student is taken straight to nearest health care center if necessary. The class/homeroom teacher must be informed of any medication, illness or condition which may have an effect on the student's school work.

Insurance

OIS students are insured by IF insurance company during school times including P.E. lessons, educational visits etc. and during the trip between home and school. All injuries occurred during these times are reported reported to staff member who is present in the situation. Treatment for injuries which happen at school or on journeys between home and school is free of charge.

Our insurance does not cover accidents which happen during school days if the student is outside school premises without permission. Therefore, students and parents are expected to understand that leaving the school premises e.g. during breaks or lunchtime without notice is strictly forbidden.

It is the responsibility of the parents to seek treatment for injuries occurred after school hours (e.g. sports training). These injuries are usually covered by the sports associations' licences. The school´s insurance does not cover the expenses if the injury occurred outside school time.

If the services of a private GP are required because of an injury which occurred at school, parents should pay the doctor's bill first and then claim compensation from insurance company IF. Please refer to these instructions as to how to claim compensation from IF. Instructions can also be found in Finnish.

Dental Care

OIS students are mainly treated at Dentopolis in Kontinkangas, address Aapistie 3. The telephone number for appointments is (08) 5584 6430. Students are invited to dental check-up in grade 1, 5 and 8. Newly arrived families with children in other classes than these should make the first dental appointment themselves. The frequency of further check-ups depends on each students’ individual dental health plan.

Now non-Oulu residents may also have a dental check-up in Oulu. If it turns out that the student needs further treatment (e.g. filling or orthodontic treatment), parents will have to ask the home municipality's dental health care centre for permission first. If the permission is granted, the care will continue in Oulu. If the home municipality denies dental care in Oulu, the care will continue in the home municipality.

To keep teeth in good condition, remember the following:

• Eat regularly and avoid extra, esp. sweet snacks
• Drink water if you are thirsty
• Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day
• After meal, take a xylitol pastille or chewing gum

We allow OIS students to have a xylitol chewing gum after lunch and the afternoon snack so long as the gum is disposed of in the litter bin before the next lesson.

Medical treatment plans in school

Guardians are primarily responsible for the implementation of their child’s medical care, if any. Since guardians are not able to supervise and implement medical care during the school day, any necessary supportive measures are provided by the school according to the guardians’ instructions.

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health recommends the use of a Medical Treatment Plan (see the links) in all work units where medical treatment is implemented. The purpose of the Plan is to unify the principles of implementation, to clarify the division of responsibility, and to define the minimum requirements for the implementation of medical treatment. 

The guardians of the child in need of support in their medical treatment will be invited to school as needed to record the necessary instructions for the child's personal medical treatment plan, and to agree on the adequate level of competence concerning their care. The actual implementation of medical treatment should be a natural part of the child's daily life. The Medical Treatment Plan includes information on the child’s personal details, their state of health, disease and the treatment procedures. This information is confidential and handled with care. The purpose of the Plan is to make sure that the measures required by the child's illness are known widely enough by the school’s adults. The guardian is responsible of the correctness of the above information and is obliged to inform the school’s contact person of any changes in the child’s care. 

From the links you can find two different forms: the student's individual Medical Treatment Plan and Permission of short-term medication.

The Medical Treatment Plan must be made if, for example, the child

· takes medication for eplepsy (instructions for medication from gaurdians!)

· has diabetes (meeting with family has been had)

· has Epipen for a severe allergic reaction (guardians inform on allergies, treatment and symptoms; nurse gives instructions on the use of Epipen)

Permission of short-term medication must be completed if, for example, the child has

· medication for asthma

· migraine/ medication for headache

· medication for allergy

· course of medication

Guardians submit all medicaI products in person in their original packaging with the relevant instructions to the staff, labelled by the child’s name and preferably their photo. Single pills or jars without original packages are not accepted.

Guardians are adviced to be in contact with the class/homeroom teacher of their child in case of a need for medical treatment in school.