School flu risk alert

as posted here

FORMER Gosnells Primary School P&C president Peter Evans has urged parents to check if their children have access to hand cleaning supplies at public schools following the swine flu pandemic.

“It seems like a question you should not have to ask your kids, but you may be surprised by the answer you receive,” Mr Evans said.

“We teach our kids to wash their hands when they go to the toilet at home but they don’t have soap available at school.

“Now, with swine flu around, people are getting quite worried that their kids aren’t protected when they are at school.”

Mr Evans said a public high school that his daughter attended did not even have soap dispensers installed.

A Department of Health spokeswoman said hand washing was a primary defence against the spread of infectious disease and should be available in every toilet.

“The subject of school hand hygiene has been discussed at many health forums of late, particularly in regard to reducing the spread of the H1N1 pandemic flu, as well as other contagious illnesses.”

She said the department had been aware of the problem for some time.

“However, a solution is yet to be found, not only in WA, but the whole of Australia, and it requires funds, resources and the backing of politicians.”

The spokeswoman said the Health Act 1911 was not binding on government.

“So our legislation cannot be used to force government schools to provide soap, toilet paper and hand drying facilities in student toilets.”

She said hand hygiene was managed by school principals.

“Unfortunately… paper towels and soap are often the first to go under budget cuts, and as toilets are often subject to vandalism, their loss can be justified.”

She said research was under way for a hand washing system which may solve many hygiene concerns in schools.


as posted here