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EPILEPSY MANAGEMENT POLICY

1. RATIONALE

St Hilda’s is committed to providing a safe, healthy and supportive environment for all students. For students with epilepsy, additional care must be taken to ensure the safety and support of these students.

2. SCOPE

To provide, as far as practicable, a safe and supportive environment in which students with epilepsy can participate equally in all aspects of the student’s schooling.

To raise awareness about epilepsy in the School community.

To engage with parents/carers of each student with epilepsy to understand individual

management of the student.

To ensure that staff have knowledge about epilepsy and the School’s guidelines and

procedures within this policy.

3. BACKGROUND

Around 10% of people can expect to have at least one seizure in their lifetime, of these one third will later receive a diagnosis of epilepsy. Close to 1% of the population currently have epilepsy and 4% of people will be diagnosed with epilepsy at some time in their lives. 1 in 200 children live with epilepsy. The highest incidences of new diagnosis are in the over 60 age bracket and 1 in 4 people with a disability are likely to live with epilepsy. 65% of those with a diagnosis of epilepsy have no known cause. Many students with epilepsy have their seizures well-controlled with medication and can participate fully in school life. However, studies indicate that students with epilepsy are at a higher risk of:

psychological issues or mental health problems

memory, attention and concentration problems

behaviour problems

fatigue

school absences

All of these may negatively impact the student’s learning and academic achievements. The impact on learning following a seizure event can vary. Many types of seizures are non-epileptic, and may never be accurately diagnosed.

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4. DEFINITIONS

Epilepsy is characterised by recurrent seizures due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Epileptic seizures are caused by a sudden burst of excess electrical activity in the brain resulting in a temporary disruption in the normal messages passing between brain cells. Seizures can involve loss of consciousness, a range of unusual movements, odd feelings and sensations or changed behaviour. Most seizures are spontaneous, brief and self-limited. However multiple seizures known as seizure clusters can occur over a 24 hour period. Non-epileptic seizures (NES), also known as 'dissociative seizures'. There are two types of non-epileptic seizures:

Organic NES which have a physical cause

Psychogenic NES which are caused by mental or emotional processes.

Seizure triggers is a term used to describe known circumstances where the individual may have an increased likelihood of having a seizure. Seizure triggers are unique to the person and are not always known. Common seizure triggers, but not limited to, can include stress, lack of sleep, heat, illness, flashing lights or missed medication. A detailed description of seizure types and triggers can be found on the Epilepsy Foundation website

5. LEGISLATION

Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 (WA) Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) Poisons Act 1964 (WA) Poisons Regulations 1965 (WA) School Education Act 1999 (WA) School Education Regulations 2000 (WA)

The following references were used in creating this policy:

Epilepsy Foundation

Epilepsy Australia

6. RELATED POLICIES

Excursion and Incursion Policy – Junior School Supportive Schools Environment Medical Policy

7. GUIDELINES/PROCEDURES 7.1 Students

Are supported to be aware of their epilepsy including possible early symptoms and safety surrounding activities appropriate to their age and stage of development.

To advise staff of any symptoms or triggers, if possible. 7.2 Parents/Carers

Provide an Epilepsy Management Plan, signed by the treating doctor. To be updated at least every three years or confirmed no changes.

Advise of any known triggers especially flashing lights which may occur during productions, whilst on excursion or social events.

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Provide their child’s medication, with written consent, clearly dated and in the original labelled container

Are responsible for replacement of expired or used medications

Inform staff of any changes in their child’s epilepsy management.

7.3 Nursing Staff

Provide appropriate treatment as per Epilepsy Management Plan

Document any seizure and advise parents/carers as a matter of priority

Review documentation regularly to ensure compliance with procedures

Ensure all parents of students identified with epilepsy provide a current Epilepsy Management Plan and medication (if prescribed).

7.4 Staff

Are aware of the School’s Epilepsy Management Policy

Know the students with epilepsy in their care

Are aware of any known triggers, especially potential for flashing lights during productions, whilst on excursion or social events. Notify parents and make known to participants prior (e.g. warning at the beginning of a production)

Know how to implement First Aid treatment in the event of a seizure (see attached generic Epilepsy First Aid plan)

Access students’ written Epilepsy Management Plan as required from the School database

Always inform the Registered Nurse of a seizure

Attend epilepsy education if there are students with epilepsy in their care

Encourage participation. Students with epilepsy can generally participate fully, including sport and physical activities, camps, excursions and special events. Subject to medical advice, participation in these activities should be encouraged.

Be aware that students with epilepsy may be on a medically prescribed ketogenic diet which involves restricted fluids, high fat, very low carbohydrate and protein diet. Staff need to be mindful of the restrictive and potentially isolating impact this diet may have on the student and the implications for discussing ‘healthy eating’ in the classroom, attending camps, excursions and special events.

Unless otherwise specified in writing by the doctor, a dedicated staff member must keep the student under visual observation at all times while the student is undertaking water-based activities and activities at height and be able to get assistance to the student quickly if a seizure occurs. The level of support and supervision a student needs will vary depending on specific risk mitigation strategies that the doctor has instructed in the student’s Epilepsy Management Plan.

Unless otherwise specified in writing by the doctor a dedicated staff member is to remain within close response distance to a student with epilepsy when bathing/showering e.g. standing outside the bathing/shower door.

7.5 School

Meet all legal, regulatory and policy requirements related to health care planning and epilepsy management

Maintain a central record of students’ health care needs, including epilepsy, and review regularly

Induct new staff in epilepsy policies and procedures, including epilepsy training and information for all staff if a student with Epilepsy is in their care

Review policies and practices on an annual basis or as the need arises

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8. BREACH

If you breach this policy, you may be subject to disciplinary actions.

Responsibility: Dean of Student Wellbeing and Registered Nurse

Review Date: July 2020

Next Review Date: July 2021

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