Part XPhysical Welfare
Medical provision
45. At a centre a separate building, or part of a building, shall be equipped, furnished and staffed in an appropriate way for the care and treatment of sick children who shall be entitled to a medical service comparable to that which is available in the community.
Hygiene
46.—(1) A child shall be allowed adequate access to sanitation facilities and water for health and cleanliness and shall be provided with an appropriate range of toilet articles, which shall be replaced as necessary.
(2) A child shall be required to wash himself to maintain an acceptable standard of personal hygiene and shall have a hot bath or shower at least once a week, unless excused by the manager or medical officer.
Food
47.—(1) A centre shall provide sufficient food which is wholesome, nutritious, palatable, adequately presented and well prepared and which takes into account age and health and, as far as practicable, religious, or cultural requirements.
(2) Unless the manager or medical officer so directs, no child shall be allowed to have any food other than that ordinarily provided.
(3) The manager shall ensure that the condition, quality and quantity of food and the conditions under which it is prepared and cooked are inspected frequently and that reported shortcomings are rectified as soon as possible.
(4) If a child wishes to make a complaint about the standard or amount or variety of the food in the centre he must do so as soon as possible after he has received the food, and any such complaint shall be properly considered by the manager and, where appropriate, action to remedy the complaint shall be taken at the earliest opportunity.
Alcohol, drugs and tobacco
48.—(1) A child shall not be given or allowed to have any intoxicating liquor or drug except under a written order of the medical officer specifying the nature and quantity and the name of the child for whose use it is ordered.
(2) A child under 16 shall not be allowed to smoke tobacco and a child over 16 shall not be allowed to smoke or have in his possession any tobacco except in accordance with such arrangements as may be made by the manager and approved by the Board.
(3) The arrangements made under paragraph (2) shall apply to all staff and visitors to the centre.
Clothing
49.—(1) The manager shall ensure that a child is adequately clothed.
(2) The clothing to be worn in a centre, including wearing of own clothing, shall be as directed by the manager.
(3) All clothing shall be kept in a clean and proper condition and arrangements shall be made for items to be changed as often as is necessary for the maintenance of good health and hygiene.
Medical officer
50.—(1) The Board shall appoint a medical officer who shall be responsible for the care of children’s health in the centre.
(2) The medical officer shall keep such records as the Board may direct.
(3) The manager shall make arrangements for a medical officer to attend the centre without delay in cases of urgency.
(4) A child’s request to consult a general practitioner of the same gender will be granted where practicable.
(5) A child’s request for a consultation with a general practitioner of his choice will be met where it is practicable.
Duties of medical officer
51.—(1) The medical officer shall be informed immediately about a child who appears to be seriously ill and shall ensure that the child is attended to without delay.
(2) The medical officer shall as soon as practicable see those children who complain of illness or injury or who are referred to him and shall provide a report to the manager in writing about those children who may be excused education, training or recreation.
(3) The medical officer shall inform the manager about anything in the centre or the treatment of children which appears to him to require consideration on medical grounds.
(4) The medical officer shall pay special attention to a child whose mental condition appears to require it and, where appropriate, make any special arrangements which appear necessary for his well-being.
(5) The medical officer shall as soon as is practicable visit a child who has been placed in temporary confinement, and at intervals of at least once a day thereafter, and shall record his findings.