Health Protection and Prevention, and Understanding the Healthcare System (Secondary)

Curriculum content:

1. Personal hygiene, germs and how they are spread, including bacteria and viruses,
treatment and prevention of infection, and about antibiotics.
2. Dental health and the benefits of good oral hygiene, including brushing teeth twice a
day with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between teeth, reducing consumption of
sugar-containing food and drinks, and regular check-ups at the dentist.
3. How and when to self-care for minor ailments, and the role of pharmacists as
knowledgeable healthcare professionals.
4. The importance of taking responsibility for their own health, and the benefits of regular
self-examination and screening.
5. The facts and scientific evidence relating to vaccination, immunisation and antimicrobial
resistance. The introduction of topics relating to vaccination and immunisation should
be aligned with when vaccinations are offered to pupils.
6. The importance of sufficient good-quality sleep for good health, the importance of
screen-free time before bed and removing phones from the bedroom, and how a lack of
sleep can affect weight, mood and ability to learn.
7. The importance of healthy behaviours before and during pregnancy, including the
importance of pre-conception health, including taking folic acid. The importance of
pelvic floor health. Information on miscarriage and pregnancy loss, and how to access
care and support.
8. How to navigate their local healthcare system: what a GP is; when to use A&E / minor
injuries; accessing sexual health and family planning clinics; the role of local
pharmacies; and how to seek help via local third sector partners which may have
specialist services.
9. The concept of Gillick competence. That the legal age of medical consent is 16. That
before this, a child’s parents will have responsibility for consenting to medical treatment
on their behalf unless they are Gillick competent to take this decision for themselves.
Pupils should understand the circumstances in which someone over 16 may not be
deemed to have capacity to make decisions about medical treatment.