EtchinghamCESchool Medicine Policy

EtchinghamChurch of England

Primary School

Medicines Policy

Introduction

This policy is a statement of the principles and procedures regarding prescribed and non-prescribed medicines at our school. There is no legal duty that requires school staff to administer medicines to children. However, we have provided appropriate training for staff and support from health professionals to enable this to occur.

Parents/carers have prime responsibility for their child’s health and should provide the school with information about their child’s medical needs. Parents should not send a child to school if he/she is unwell.

Aims and Objectives

  • To that staff and parents have a common understanding regarding the administration of medicines at our school.
  • To ensure that children with medical needs receive proper support and care.

Prescribed Medicines

Staff will not accept medicines that have been taken out of the original container in which they were originally dispensed, nor make changes to the prescribed dosages, even if asked by a parent. The original prescribers label must be on the container and include:

  • Name of child
  • Name of medicine
  • Dosage
  • Method of administration
  • Time/frequency of administration
  • Any known side effects
  • Expiry date

Parents must complete a Parental Consent Form before handing medicine over to staff. Staff will complete a record of administration for each time a dosage is given to a child. Each child has an individual administration record.

  • Medicines that need to be taken three times a day should be given in the morning, after school and at bedtime.
  • Medicines prescribed 4 times a day may be administered at lunch (i.e. second dose of the day) as long as the above procedures are followed.

Non Prescriptive Medicines

Staff will not administer medicines that have not been prescribed by a doctor, dentist, pharmacist or nurse. Calpol and other “over the counter” medicines can only be administered if accompanied by a prescription or a doctor’s note, or if a parent/carer can come into school to give it.

Controlled Drugs

If staff agree to administer a controlled drug to the child for whom it has been prescribed, they will do so in accordance with the instructions. Controlled drugs will be kept in a non-portable container and only named staff will have access. A record will be kept for audit and safety purposes.

Long Term Medical Needs

Parents should inform the school of any long term medical needs before a child is admitted or when a child first develops a medical need. The school, parents and relevant health professionals will then devise a health care plan for the child.

Asthma

  • Parents must inform the school office and class teacher if their child has asthma.
  • They must provide details of their medication and continue to keep staff informed.
  • All inhalers must be labelled with the child’s name and class.
  • Children with asthma must always have their inhaler in school, but especially for PE, Games and Swimming Lessons.
  • Please note: Inhalers have an expiry date. Parents must check on a regular basis and renew if necessary.

Allergies

  • Parents must inform the School Office and the Class Teacher if their child has an allergy.
  • If they have medication, the school will need details of it.
  • A HealthCare Plan will be completed by the school.

Diabetes

  • Parents must inform the School Office and Class Teacher if their child has diabetes.
  • They must provide details of their medication/needs.
  • A Healthcare plan will be completed by the school.

Administering medicines

Staff will:

  • Check the child’s name is on the label;
  • The prescribed dose;
  • The expiry date;
  • Dosing instructions.

If in doubt about the procedure, staff should not administer medicine but check with the parent or a health professional first. A written record for each individual child will be kept each time medicines are administered.

Staff will be trained in administering medicines and in specific medications as necessary e.g. Epi-pens. A record of training will be kept.

Self-management

The School will encourage children to take responsibility for their own medicine from an early age. An example of this is children administrating their own asthma inhaler. If the children take the medicines themselves, staff will be present to supervise.

Educational Visits

The School encourages children with medical needs to take part in visits. Planning arrangements and Risk Assessments will include the necessary steps to include children with medical needs. It may be that an additional Adult might be needed to accompany a particular child. Staff supervising visits should always be aware of any medical needs and any relevant procedures.

A copy of any Health Care Plans must be taken on visits.

Sporting Activities

Any restrictions on a child’s ability to participate in sports or PE should be recorded in their Health Care Plan after discussion with parents and/or Health Care professionals.

Refusing Medicines

If a child refuses to take medicine, staff should not force them to do so. They should make a note in the record and inform the parents the same day. If a refusal to take medicines results in an emergency, the school emergency procedures should be followed.

Disposal of Medicines

Parents are responsible for ensuring that date expired medicines are returned to a pharmacy for safe disposal. They should collect medicines held at the end of each term.

Storage of Medicines

Inhalers and Epi-pens are stored in the medical cabinet in the Server Room. All other medicines are stored in the school office in a locked cabinet. Staff medicines are stored in a locked strongbox in the staffroom. Medicines taken on offsite visits will be stored in a locked steel box.

Record Keeping

The following records will be kept:

  • Parental Consent Forms for Administration of medicine.
  • Training for staff
  • Administration records
  • Health Care Plans
  • Medical Notes on SIMS Pupil Data
  • Register of medical needs for Offsite Visit Risk Assessments
  • Controlled Drugs received and returned
  • Specific instructions for administering medication where not taken orally.

Roles and Responsibilities

  1. Parents/Carers: Either parent (with parental responsibility) may request that medicines are administered. Where parents disagree over medical support, the disagreement must be resolved by the courts.
  2. Governing Body: The Governing Body has a corporate responsibility to ensure that this policy is implemented in school.
  3. Headteacher: The Headteacher is responsible for the day to day management of this policy. The Headteacher will arrange appropriate training for staff.
  4. Staff: Staff with children under their responsibility, either teaching or support, must be informed about the medical needs and level of support required. All staff should be aware of the likelihood of an emergency arising and what action to take if one occurs. Staff who agree to administer or supervise the taking of medicines must have appropriate training and guidance.

Approved by the Health and Safety Committee on:

Date: ______

Signed: ______Chair of Finance

Next review date:______