Microsoft word - medicines policy.doc

ST AUGUSTINE OF CANTERBURY CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL

POLICY FOR HANDLING MEDICINES IN SCHOOL
“I called you by your name, you are mine.” Isaiah 43

The mission of our school is to support and further the teachings of
Christ and His Church.
We welcome and embrace individuals of all abilities and
cultural backgrounds.
We aim to enhance and celebrate their moral, physical, social and
emotional development, so that they may reach their full
potential in an atmosphere of stability, care and respect.
We believe that education is for all and in partnership with parents, carers,
children and the wider Catholic community:
We will strive and succeed in a wholly inclusive setting.


INTRODUCTION:

St Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Primary School recognises that it has a
responsibility to ensure that it has a clear policy on the handling of medicines in
school which is clearly understood and accepted by staff, parents and children. Only
then can the school be certain that it is providing a sound basis for ensuring that
children with medical needs receive the proper care and support that they need.
However it must be specified that when a child is obviously unwell, the parents or
carers should keep the child at home until complete recovery has been maintained or
the child is deemed fit to return to school under the direction of a medical
professional.
PROCEDURES FOR HANDLING PRESCRIPTION MEDICINES WHICH
NEED TO BE TAKEN DURING THE SCHOOL DAY.

Many children will need to take medicine during the day at some time during their
time at school. This will usually be for a short period only. Perhaps to finish a course
of antibiotics or to apply a lotion. To allow children to do this will minimise the time
that they need to be absent.
Medicines should only be brought to school when essential; that is where it would be
detrimental to the child’s health if the medicine were not prescribed by a doctor,
dentist, nurse prescriber, or pharmacist prescriber. Medicines should always be
prescribed in the original container as dispensed by the pharmacist and include the
prescriber’s instructions for administration.
St Augustine of Canterbury Catholic School will never accept medicines that
have been taken out of the container as originally dispensed nor make changes to
dosages on parental instructions
It is helpful, where clinically appropriate, if medicines are prescribed in dose
frequencies which enable it to be taken outside school hours. Parents are encouraged
to ask the prescriber about this. It should be noted that even medicines that need to be
administered three times per day could be taken in the morning, after school hours
and at bedtime.
SELF MANAGEMENT.
“It is good practice to support and encourage children, who are able, to take
responsibility to manage their own medicines from an early age and schools should
encourage this.”
“Managing Medicines in Schools and Early Settings” DFES doc March 2005
If children can take medicines themselves, staff may only need to supervise. Children
may administer their own medicines, bearing in mind the safety of other children and
medical advice from the prescriber. A consent form allowing children to administer
their own medicines under supervision must be completed by the parent/carer (see
form 7)
All medicines whether they can be self administered or otherwise will be kept in the
cupboard of the school general office. Children at St Augustines are not allowed to
carry their own medicine when at school.
ADMINISTERING MEDICINES
Parents must inform the school about the medicines that their child needs to take and
provide any details of any changes to the prescription or support required.
Medicines should always be provided in the original container as dispensed by the
pharmacist and include the prescribers instructions. In all cases it is necessary to
check that written details include:
Name of child
Name of medicine
Dose
Method of administration
Time/frequency of administration
Any side effects
Expiry date.
All parents must complete Form 3a (see appendices) to record details of medicines in
a standard form. Staff should check that any details provided by parents or in
particular cases by a paediatrician or specialist nurse, are consistent with the
instructions on the container.
Form 4, (see appendices) must be completed to confirm with the parents that a
member of staff will administer medicine to their child.
Staff at St Augustine if Canterbury will keep written records of all medicines
administered to children and make sure that parents sign the record book to
acknowledge the entry. Form 6 (see appendices)
REFUSING MEDICINES

If a child refuses to take medicines staff will not force them to do so., but will note
this in the records. Parents should be informed of the refusal on the same day. If a
refusal to take medicines results in an emergency, emergency procedures should be
applied such as calling an ambulance and then the parent/carer.
NON PRESCRIPTION MEDICICNES
Staff should never give non prescriptive medicines without the specific prior written
permission of the parent. Staff will supervise the administration of medicines for
allergies such as “Periton” or Ventolin in the form of an asthma pump if the child who
is asthmatic feels that they require it.
The National Standards for under 8’s day care and Childminding DFES
documentation makes it clear that non prescription medicines should not normally be
administered.
Where a non prescribed medicine is administered to a child it will be recorded on
forms 5 and 6, (see appendices) and the parents informed.
NB A child under the age of 16 should never be given medicines containing
ibuprofen unless prescribed by a doctor.

CONTOLLED DRUGS

The supply, possession and administration of some medicines are controlled by the
Misuse of Drugs Act. Some may be prescribed as medication for use by children eg
Ritalin
A member of staff who is administrating a controlled drug to a child will only do so in
accordance with the prescriber’s instructions.
The school will look after a controlled drug rather than the child having the drug in
their possession
The controlled drug will be kept in a locked non portable container and only named
staff will have access. A record will be kept for audit and safety purposes.
A controlled drug like all medicines will be returned to the parent/carer when no
longer required for safe disposal.
CHILDREN WITH LONG TERM MEDICAL NEEDS.
It is important that St Augustine of Canterbury School has sufficient information
about the medical condition of any child with long term medical needs. The school
recognises that if a child’s medical needs are inadequately supported this may have a
significant impact on a child’s experiences and how they function in and out of school
The information on a child’s long term medical needs must be informed to the school
prior to admittance or when the child first develops a medical need. For children who
attend hospital appointments on a regular basis, special arrangements may also be
necessary. If necessary a written health care plan for such children, involving the
parents/carers and health professionals will be drawn up. Form 2 (see appendices)
EDUCATIONAL VISITS/VISITS OFF THE SCHOOL SITE.
When a child with medical needs is to be included on an off site visit, a member of
staff appointed to be in charge of the visit will ensure that any medicine needed for
the child with either a short or long term medical need which requires prescription or
non prescription medicines, is brought along on the trip and is always in the
possession of that member of staff responsible for carrying medicines. The child will
be told who that member of staff is in case administration of the medicine is required.
The required forms will have been completed either before the child goes on the trip
in the case of prescribed medication or straight after the children return to school in
the case of non prescribed medicine and the parent informed.
The occurrence of a child being taken on the trip with a medical need would be
included on the risk assessment of the of site visit. Any care plans which have been
drawn up on behalf of the child will be brought along as well.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Parents/carers
It is the responsibility of all parents and carers of children at St Augustines who have
a medical need to inform the school promptly and as fully as possible whether in
writing or by visiting the school in person and making an appointment to see the head
teacher.
The head teacher will always seek the agreement of the parent/carer before passing
information about their child’s health
If parents/carers require medication to be administered in school hours they must
complete and sign the appropriate forms.
The Governing Body
The governing body has a general responsibility to take account of the views of the
head teacher, staff and parents on developing a policy on assisting pupils with medical
needs.
The head teacher
The head is responsible for ensuring that this policy is put into practice and for
developing detailed procedures. Day to day procedures will normally fall to the head
or to whomever they delegate this to in the case of his/her absence.
The head teacher must ensure that the staff receive proper support or training where
necessary.
The head is responsible for ensuring that all parents and staff are aware of the policy
and procedures for dealing with medical needs.
For a child with medical needs, the head will need to agree with the parents/carers
exactly what support can be provided. Where parents’/carer’s expectations appear
unreasonable, the head should seek advice from a medical professional such as the
school nurse or doctor.
Teachers and other staff
Some staff may be naturally concerned for the health and safety of a child with a
medical condition particularly if it is potentially life threatening. Staff with children
with medical needs in their care should be informed about the nature of the condition
and when and where the child might need extra attention. The child’s parents and
health professionals should provide that information.

All staff should be aware of an emergency occurring and what the procedure is for
such an emergency. Back up cover should be arranged for when the responsible
member of staff is absent or unavailable. At different times of the day other staff may
be responsible such as lunch time supervisors. It is important that they are also
provided with training and advice
School staff giving medicines

Teacher’s conditions of employment do not include giving or supervising a child
administering medicines. St Augustines does have sufficient members of non teaching
staff who are employed and appropriately trained to do this such as the school
secretary and teaching assistants
Any member of staff who agrees to accept responsibility for supervising the
administration of prescribed medicines should have appropriate training and guidance.
They should also be aware of possible side effects of the medicine and what to do if
they occur. The type of training necessary will depend on the individual case.
The Local Authority
LA’s have a duty under the Children’s Act 1989 to provide advice and training for
day care providers. However providers should seek appropriate advice from qualified
professionals to deal with the needs of specific children.
DEALING WITH MEDICINES SAFELY.

All medicines may be harmful to anyone for whom they are not appropriate. Where
the school agrees to administer any medicines the headteacher must ensure that the
risks to the health of others are properly controlled.
Storing Medicines
Large volumes of medicines will not be stored on the school site. Staff will only store,
supervise and administer medicines that have been prescribed for an individual child.
Medicines will be stored in accordance with product instructions and in the original
container in which dispensed. Medicines will only be stored in their original
containers which are clearly labelled with the name of the child, the name and dose of
the medicine and the frequency of administration. Where a child needs two or more
prescribed medicines each will be kept in their original separate containers.
Children know where their own medicines are stored and who holds the key. All
emergency medicines such as asthma pumps, epipens etc will be readily available to
the child for which they have been prescribed and should not be locked away. Non
emergency medicines will generally be kept in a secure place not accessible to
children.
A few medicines need to be refrigerated. They will be kept in the refrigerator in the
staff room in an air tight container and clearly labelled. Only adults have access to the
staff room refrigerator.
Disposal of medicines
Staff at St Augustine of Canterbury will not dispose of medicines. Parents/carers are
responsible for ensuring that date expired medicines are returned to a pharmacy for
safe disposal. They should also collect medicines held at the end of each second term.
HYGIENE AND INFECTION CONTROL
All staff are familiar with normal pre cautions for avoiding infection and follow basic
hygiene procedures. Staff have access to protective disposable gloves and take care
when dealing with spillages of blood or other bodily fluids and disposing of dresses or
equipment.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES.

In the event of an emergency the head teacher, deputy head teacher or designated
member of staff must be informed as soon as possible by using the internal telephone
system or sending a member of staff to inform the head as soon as possible. He/she
will phone for an ambulance using the prompts on form 1( see appendices.) The head
teacher, deputy head or designated member of staff will accompany the child in the
ambulance to the hospital and will stay until the parent arrives. The parent will be
telephoned by the school secretary as soon as the head teacher has contacted the
ambulance. Health professionals are responsible for any decisions on medical
treatment when parents are not available. The heed teacher/ deputy head or designated
member of staff will never take the child to hospital in their own cars; it is safer to call
an ambulance.
CONFIDENTIALITY
THE HEAD AND STAFF SHOULD ALWAYS TREAT MEDICAL
INFORMATION CONFIDENTIALLY. THE HEAD SHOULD AGREE WITH THE
PARENT WHO ELSE SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO RECORDS AND OTHER
INFORMATION ABOUT A CHILD. IF INFORMATION IS WITH HELD FROM
STAFF, THEY SHOULD NOT GENERALLY BE HELD RESPONSIBLE IF THEY
ACT INCORRECTLY IN GIVING MEDICAL ASSISTANCE IN GOOD FAITH.
FURTHER READING

Further information on the managing of medicines in schools as well as on the writing
of care plans, advice on Asthma, Epilepsy, Diabetes and Anaphylaxis can be found in
the document “Managing Medicines in Schools and Early Years Settings”. A copy of
this document is stored in the headteachers office for referral if necessary.

Source: http://www.saccp.org.uk/documents/Policies/medicines.pdf