St Botolph s C of E (C) Primary School MEDICINES IN SCHOOL POLICY Date approved: 27 February 2012 Review Date: Spring 2013 St Botolph s Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment
1. Children with Medical Needs St Botolph s Primary School St Botolph s Primary School recognises that: 1.1 Children with medical needs have the same rights of admission to a school or setting as other children. Most children will at some time have short-term medical needs, perhaps entailing finishing a course of medicine such as antibiotics. Some children, however, have longer term medical needs and may require medicines on a long-term basis to keep them well, for example children with well-controlled epilepsy or cystic fibrosis. 1.2 Others may require medicines in particular circumstances, such as children with severe allergies who may need an adrenaline injection. Children with sever asthma may have a need for daily inhalers and additional doses during an attack. 1.3 Most children with medical needs can attend school or a setting regularly and take part in normal activities, sometimes with some support. However, staff may need to take extra care in supervising some activities to make sure that these children, and others, are not put at risk. 1.4 An individual health care plan can help staff identify the necessary safety measures to support children with medical needs and ensure that they and others are not put at risk. 1.5 Some children with medical needs are protected from discrimination under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995. The DDA defines a person as having a disability if he has a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and longterm adverse effect on his abilities to carry out normal day to day activities. 1.6 Under Part 4 of the DDA, responsible bodies for schools (including nursery schools) must not discriminate against disabled pupils in relation to their access to education and associated services a broad term that covers all aspects of school life including school clubs and activities. The school makes responsible adjustments for disabled children including those with medical needs at different levels of school life; and for the individual disabled child in their practices and procedures and in their policies. 1.7 Schools are also under a duty to plan strategically to increase access, over time to schools. This will include planning in anticipation of the admission of a disabled pupil with medical needs so that they can access the school premises, the curriculum and the provision of written materials in alternative formats to ensure accessibility. 2. Support for Children with Medical Needs Parents have the prime responsibility for their child s health and are required to provide the school with information about their child s medical condition. Parents, and the child, if appropriate, should obtain details from their child s General Practitioner (GP) or paediatrician, if needed. The school doctor or nurse or a health visitor and specialist voluntary bodies may also be able to provide additional background information for staff.
Staff managing the administration of medicines and those who administer medicines will receive appropriate training and support from health professionals. There will be robust systems in place to ensure that medicines are managed safely. 3. Introducing a Policy This policy ensures that children with medical needs receive proper care and support in school. This policy sets out the procedures in respect of administering medicines, developed in partnership with parents and staff. Parents should provide full information about their child s medical needs, including details on medicines their child needs. 4. Prescribed Medicines 4.1 Medicines should only be taken to school when essential, that is where it would be detrimental to a child s health if the medicine were not administered during the school day (four or more times a day). The school will only accept medicines that have been prescribed by the doctor, dentist, nurse prescribed or pharmacist. Medicines must always be provided in the original container as dispensed by a pharmacist and include the prescriber s instructions for administration. 5. Controlled Drugs The supply, possession and administration of some medicines are controlled by the Misuse of Drugs Act and its associated regulations. A member of staff may administer a controlled drug to the child for whom it has been prescribed. Staff administering medicine will do so in accordance with the prescriber s instruction. A child who has been prescribed a controlled drug may legally have it in their possession. It is permissible for schools and settings to look after a controlled drug, where it is agreed that it will be administered to the child for whom it has been prescribed. The school keeps controlled drugs in a locked non-portable container and only named staff have access. A record is kept for audit and safety purposes. A controlled drug, as with all medicines, will be returned to the parent when no longer required to arrange for safe disposal (by returning the unwanted supply to the local pharmacy). If this is not possible, it should be returned to the dispensing pharmacist. Misuse of a controlled drug, such as passing it to another child for use, is an offence. 6. Non- Prescription Medicines 6.1 Staff will never give a non-prescribed medicine to a child unless there is specific prior written permission from the parents. 6.2 A child under 16 should never be given aspirin or medicines containing Ibuprofen unless prescribed by a doctor.
7. Administering Medicines 7.1 No child will be given medicines without their parent s written consent. Any member of staff giving medicines to a child will check: The child s name Prescribed dose Expiry date Written instructions provided by the prescriber on the label or container. 7.2 If in doubt about any procedures staff are instructed not to administer the medicines but check with the parents or a health professional before taking further action. If staff have any other concerns related to administering medicine to a particular child, the issue should be discussed with the parent, if appropriate, or with a health professional attached to the school or setting. Written records must be kept each time medicines are given. Staff must complete and sign a record each time they give medicine to a child. In some circumstances such as the administration of rectal diazepam, it is good practice to have the dosage and administration witnessed by a second adult. 8. Self Management 8.1 Older children with long term illness should, whenever possible, assume complete responsibility under the supervision of their parent. 8.2 If children can take their medicine themselves, staff may only need to supervise. A parental consent is needed. 8.3 Where children have been prescribed controlled drugs staff need to be aware that those must be kept in safe custody. However, children could access them for self-medication if it is agreed that it is appropriate. 9. Refusing Medicines 9.1 If a child refuses to take medicines, staff will not force them to do so, but will note this in the record. Parents will be informed of the refusal on the same day. 10. Record Keeping 10.1 Parents should tell the school or setting about the medicines that their child needs to take and provide details of any changes to the prescription or the support required. 10.2 Medicines should always be provided in the original container as dispensed by pharmacist and include the prescriber s instruction. 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 10.3 Staff will 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. 10.4 Records will be kept of all medicines administered to children. 10.5 Records offer protection to staff and proof that they have followed agreed procedures. 11. Educational Visits 11.1 The schools will always consider what reasonable adjustments might be made to enable children with medical needs to participate fully and safely on visits. 11.2 Sometimes an additional Teaching Assistant, a parent or another volunteer might be needed to accompany a particular child. Arrangements for taking any necessary medicines will also need to be taken into consideration. Staff supervising excursions will always be aware of any medical needs, and relevant emergency procedures. A copy of any health care plans are taken on visits in the event of the information being needed in an emergency. 11.3 If staff are concerned about whether they can provide for a child s safety, or the safety of other children on a visit, they should seek parental views and medical advice from the school health service or the child s GP. 12. Home to School Transport 12.1 Drivers and escorts know what to do in the case of a medical emergency. They should not generally administer medicines but where it is agreed that a driver or escort will administer medicines (i.e. in an emergency) they must receive training and support and fully understand what procedures and protocols to follow. They should be clear about roles, responsibilities and liabilities. 12.2 Where pupils have life threatening conditions, specific health care plans will be carried on vehicles. School will advise the Local Authority and its transport contractors of particular issues for individual children. The care plans specify the steps to be taken to support the normal care of the pupil as well as the appropriate responses to emergency situations. 13. Roles and Responsibilities Parents and Carers
13.1 It requires only one parent to agree to or request that medicines are administered. The school will administer the medicine in line with the consent given and in accordance with the prescriber s instructions. 13.2 If a child is looked after by a Local Authority, the child may either be on a care order or be voluntarily accommodated. A Care Order places a child in the care of a Local Authority and gives the Local Authority parental responsibility for the child. The Local Authority will have the power to determine the extent to which this responsibility will continue to be shared with the parents. A Local Authority may also accommodate a child under voluntary arrangements with the child s parents. In these circumstances the parents will retain parental responsibility acting so far as possible as partners of the Local Authority. Where a child is looked after by a Local Authority day-to-day responsibility may be with foster parents, residential care workers or guardians. The School 13.3 The school is responsible for making sure that staff have appropriate training to support children with medical needs. A health care professional should provide written confirmation or proficiency in any medical procedure. The Headteacher 13.4 The head is responsible for developing detailed procedures. 13.5 The head will make sure that all parents and all staff are aware of the policy and procedures for dealing with medical needs. The head will also make sure that the appropriate systems for information sharing are followed. Parents should keep children at home when they are acutely unwell. 13.6 For a child with medical needs, the head will agree with the parents exactly what support can be provided. Where parents expectations appear unreasonable, the head should seek advice from the school nurse or doctor, the child s GP or other medical advisers and, if appropriate, the employer. 13.7 If staff follow documented procedures, they should be fully covered by their employer s public liability insurance should a parent make a complaint. Teachers and Other Staff 13.8 Staff with children with medical needs in their class or group will be informed about the nature of the condition, and when and where the children may need extra attention. The child s parents and health professionals should provide this information. 13.9 All staff will be aware of the likelihood of an emergency arising and what action to take if one occurs. At different times of the day other staff may be responsible for children, such as lunchtime supervisors. They are also provided with training and advice. School Staff Giving Medicines
13.10 Schools will ensure that they are sufficient members of support staff who are employed and appropriately trained to manage medicines as part of their duties. 13.11 Any member of staff who agrees to accept responsibility for administering prescribed medicines to a child will receive appropriate training and guidance so they are aware of possible side affects of the medicines and what to do if they occur. The type of training necessary will depend on the individual case. Health Services 13.12 The schools will have contact with the health service through the school nurse or doctor. The school nurse or doctor will help the school draw up individual health care plans for pupils with medical needs and may be able to supplement information already provided by parents and the child s GP. The nurse or doctor will also advise on training for school staff on administering medicines. 13.13 Every child should be registered with a GP. 14. Safety Management of Medicines Storing Medicines 14.1 Large volumes of medicines will not be stored. Staff will only store, supervise and administer medicine that has been prescribed for an individual child. Medicines are stored strictly in accordance with product instructions (paying particular note to temperature) and in the original container in which dispensed. Staff will ensure that the supplied container is 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 should be in a separate container. 14.2 Children should know where their own medicines are stored. The head is responsible for making sure that medicines are stored safely. All emergency medicines, such as asthma inhalers and adrenaline pens, will be stored readily available to children and not be locked away. Other non-emergency medicines will be kept in a secure place not accessible to children. 14.3 A few medicines need to be refrigerated. These may be kept in a refrigerator containing food but will be in an airtight container and clearly labelled. There will be restricted access to any refrigerator holding medicines. Disposal of Medicines 14.4 Staff should not dispose of medicines. Parents 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 term. If parents do not collect all medicines, the should be taken to a local pharmacy for safe disposal. 14.5 Sharps boxes are always used for the disposal of needles. Sharps boxes can be obtained by parents on prescription from the child s GP or paediatrician.
Collection and disposal of the boxes will be arranged with the Local Authority s environmental services. Hygiene and Infection Control 14.6 All staff should be familiar with normal precautions 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 body fluids and disposing of dressings or equipment. 15.0 Emergency Procedures 15.1 All staff know how to call the emergency services. A member of staff should always accompany a child taken to hospital by ambulance, and should stay until the parent arrives. 15.2 It is the school s policy that staff should not take children to hospital in their own car however the school and governing body acknowledge that in exceptional circumstances there may be no alternative. In this event, two adults will accompany the child/children to hospital. 15.3 Individual health care plans include instructions as to how to manage a child in an emergency, and identify who has the responsibility in an emergency. 16.0 Health Care Plan 16.1 The main purpose of an individual health care plan for a child with medical needs is to identify the level of support that is needed. 16.2 An individual health care plan clarifies for staff, parents and the child the help that can be provided. Staff will agree with parents how often they should jointly review the health care plan. 16.3 Each plan will contain different levels of detail according to the need of the individual child. 17. Training Staff 17.1 In the case of certain medications, these will only be dispensed by staff who have receivedthe appropriate training from health professionals. 18.0 Confidentiality 18.1 The head and staff will always treat medical information confidentially.