Introduction
This policy outlines provision for administering medicines in our school.
The school policy for this provision reflects the consensus of opinion of the whole teaching staff. It has been drawn up as a result of staff discussion and has the agreement of the Governing Body and teachers.
The implementation of this policy is the responsibility of all staff.
General Principles
The administration of medicine is the responsibility of parents and carers. However, in certain circumstances and with the parent's written permission, the staff would be willing to administer prescribed medicines.
Children suffering from short-term ailments who are clearly unwell should not be in school and the headteacher has the right to ask parents to keep them at home. Staff will not administer non-prescribed medicines (e.g. cough medicines, aspirin) to any pupils except in exceptional circumstances e.g. residential visit and only with parent's signed consent.
The school is anxious to help any child with chronic illness or disability to lead as normal and happy a life at school as possible and it may be necessary for some children to take prescribed medicines during school hours. School would encourage children, even the youngest, to take responsibility for their own medical care. This could cover self-administration of medicines, using an inhaler or giving their own injection.
Good Practice
Where medicines are to be administered in school - with or without involvement of staff - a written instruction should be received from the parent or doctor. This should specify the medication involved, circumstances under which it should be administered, frequency and level of dosage. The form appended should be used for this purpose.
A standard practice will be followed when administering medicines:-
• refer to the written instruction received by the school
• check the prescribed dose
• check expiry date
• check the prescribed frequency of the medicine
• measure out the prescribed dose and check the child's name again (for liquid medicines parents should provide measuring spoons)
• complete and sign a record sheet when the child has taken/been given the medicine (see appended record sheet)
• if uncertain, do not give but check with the child's parents or doctor
It is the responsibility of the head to ensure medicines are stored safely. Medicines must be kept in the container supplied which must be clearly labelled with the name of the child and instructions for usage. Some medications (e.g. liquid antibiotics, insulin) may need to be kept in a refrigerator but must not be frozen. These medicines will be placed in a suitable additional airtight container and marked "medicines".
General Issues
MEDI ALERTS: Some children wear bracelets or necklaces which alert others to their medical condition in an emergency. As with jewellery, these items are a potential source of injury in games or certain practical activities. In appropriate circumstances they should be covered with sweatbands or removed temporarily.
IMPAIRED MOBILITY: Providing the approval of the GP or consultant has been given there is no reason why children wearing plaster casts or using crutches should not attend school. Restrictions will be necessary on games or practical work to protect the child or others. Similarly, some relaxation of normal routine in relation to movement around the school may need to be made in the interests of safety.
EMPLOYEE’S MEDICINES: Staff may need to bring their own medicines into school. They have a clear personal responsibility to ensure their medicines are not accessible to children.
STAFF PROTECTION: Practical and common sense hygiene precautions will minimise the risk of infection where contact with blood or other body fluids is unavoidable. Staff administering first aid should wear protective gloves.
Medicines likely to be brought into or used at School
Non-prescribed medicines
Staff will generally only administer prescribed medicines. Parents wishing to administer cough medicines, paracetamol etc. may be asked to come into school to administer them themselves.
Prescribed Medicines
Antibiotics: A child taking antibiotics can recover quickly and be well enough to attend school but it is essential that the course of treatment is completed. In these circumstances antibiotics will be administered.
Inhalers: A child with asthma may have an inhaler, which may need to be used regularly or before exercise, or when the child becomes wheezy. Whenever possible the child should take responsibility for his/her own inhaler which should be marked with his/her name. Inhalers are very safe and it is unlikely that a child using another child's inhaler will come to any harm.
Enzyme additives: A child with cystic fibrosis may not be able to digest food without added enzymes. It is important that the child has a pancreatic supplement (normally Creon) with food. This is not a drug and many children need several capsules at a time. These are entirely safe if taken, accidentally, by another child.
Maintenance drugs: A child may be on medication (e.g. insulin) for a condition that requires a dose during the school day.
Unusual administration: The necessary administration of e.g. injections, rectal diazepam etc. would have to be given very careful consideration by the staff concerned. An informed decision would be taken after professional guidance by the health service before the school would accept the commitment.