swine flu update
For your information, the government has introduced a National Pandemic Flu Service. There are two methods of diagnosing suspected cases of Swine Flu:
1. Telephone: 0800 1 513 100
2. Website: www.pandemicflu.direct.gov.uk
PLEASE SEE AT THE END OF THIS BULLETIN OUR UPDATED PROCEDURE AS OF NOVEMBER 2009
ALL NURSERIES REMAIN OPEN.
Monday 15th March.
FURTHER CASE
A suspected case at WOKING DAY NURSERY.
Also, for your information, please see below our updated procedure as of November 2009.
Dear Parent,
We are writing to further update you on the procedures we have in place for the monitoring of the cases of swine flu within our nursery settings. Our parents and staff have been extremely helpful in advising us of any known illnesses or possible exposure to confirmed cases of swine flu. We continue to work extremely closely with our Nursery Managers, advising them of the procedures to follow and how best to manage infection control. It is through our combined efforts that we have been able to continue to operate normally, and I thank you once again for all your continued assistance.
We are continuing to monitor cases very closely and will always seek the advice of the relevant Health Protection Agency (HPA) before a final decision is made.
When a case(s) is confirmed/suspected (a suspected case is where the anti viral drug TamiFlu has been prescribed but the condition has not been confirmed) at a setting, the following procedures are now in place:
First case of Swine Flu within your nursery - all parents will receive an email and text message that a case is confirmed/suspected at your nursery. Notices will be displayed in the entrance hall.
Further cases of confirmed/suspected swine flu within your nursery if the case is within 7 days of the last email and text message sent, all parents will be notified via your Nursery Manager. Otherwise all parents will receive an email and text message that a case is confirmed/suspected at your nursery. Notices will be displayed in the entrance hall.
We will continue our current exclusion procedures for infection control i.e. children or staff with a confirmed/suspected case of swine flu will be excluded, in the same manner that we would exclude for any other virus e.g. chicken pox. The exclusion time would be seven days.
Where a case is confirmed in a parent they will be unable to drop off or pick up their child whilst on the course of medication. If the child is not showing any symptoms they will still be able to attend the nursery if brought in by a well relative or friend, unless medical or HPA advice excludes them.
We will continue to keep our website updated with the latest information at
www.asquithnurseries.co.uk
If an outbreak at a nursery occurs that affects the day to day operation of the nursery we will:
seek advice from the HPA on closure of the setting.
notify you by email/text.
remain open (on advice of the HPA) if able to operate safely and in line with our registration conditions.
continue to keep our website updated with the latest information at
www.asquithnurseries.co.uk.
We would like to reassure you that the continued well-being of all our children is of paramount importance to us. Our hygiene standards are extremely high and one of our top priorities for minimising any risks of cross-contamination. We continue to have in place the following extra hygiene precautions:-
At the entrance of every Asquith setting we have installed sanitizing anti-bacterial hand foam, which everyone is obliged to use on entering the nursery.
Staff to sanitise work surfaces, door handles, toilet handles, taps etc a minimum of twice per day.
We will continue to communicate with you regularly with any further changes to procedures. Can I ask that you also continue the communication with us if you or your family have direct or indirect contact with confirmed or suspected (where the person involved has been prescribed the anti-viral TamiFlu) cases of swine flu. In this manner we will have the very best possible chance of keeping the nursery open.
Should you have any concerns about this or any other issue please do not hesitate to contact the Placement Centre team on 01753 20 11 22.
Yours faithfully
Andy Morris
Managing Director
Updated 0914hrs Monday 15th March 2010
