This guidance represents the view of the Institute, which was arrived at after careful consideration of the evidence available. Healthcare professionals are expected to take it fully into account when exercising their clinical judgement. The guidance does not, however, override the individual responsibility of healthcare professionals to make decisions appropriate to the circumstances of the individual patient, in consultation with the patient and/or guardian or carer. Public health professionals, local government officials and elected members, school governors, head teachers, those with responsibility for early years services, and employers in the public, private and voluntary sectors should take this guidance into.
