CLYST ST MARY PRIMARY SCHOOL Administration of Medicines Policy

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1 CLYST ST MARY PRIMARY SCHOOL Administration of Medicines Policy Introduction Parents have the prime responsibility for ensuring a child s health and for deciding whether they are fit to attend school. Parents should also provide all necessary information about their child s medical needs to the school. DfE April 2014 Supporting Pupils at School with Medical Conditions, Key points are: Pupils at school with medical conditions should be properly supported so that they can have full access to education, including school trips and physical education. Governing Bodies must ensure that arrangements are in place in schools to support pupils at school with medical conditions. Governing Bodies should ensure that school leaders consult health and social care professionals, pupils and parents to ensure that the needs of children with medical conditions are effectively supported. The school has insurance cover relating to the administration of medication. The Headteacher is responsible for ensuring that this policy is followed, and for its monitor and review. This policy may be superseded by a child s Individual Healthcare Plan (IHCP), or may be used in conjunction with it - please see our Managing Medical Conditions Policy A copy of both policies are available to parents on our website. Staff Duties

2 School staff have no legal obligation to administer medicines to pupils nor supervise them while they take medicine, unless this is specifically stated in their contract of employment with the school. Any member of staff may volunteer to assist in the administration of medicines but must be given appropriate training and guidance. As a school, we train specific named staff for the purpose of the administration of medicines; Mrs E Steers, Mrs S Conabeer, Mrs L.J Herbert and Mrs L.J Hockin. As a school, we have a duty to plan how administering medicines can be accommodated in school, and on educational visits [in order to allow children who have medical needs to attend]. Process for the Administration of Medicines in School short term medical needs Medicines should normally be administered at home and only taken into school when absolutely necessary for the wellbeing of the child. The school will only accept: Medicines prescribed by a medical practitioner or medicines recommended for use as means of aftercare or pain relief by a doctor or pharmacist. e.g Calpol or Piriton Medicines that are in date Medicines in their original container. Containers with labelling identifying the child by name and with original instructions for administration dosage and storage. Inhalers that are clearly labelled (these are kept in the child s classroom in a safe place and it is a parent s responsibility to check to see if they are in date) The school will not accept or administer: Medicines that are to be administered more than twice per day (unless the child is attending the after school club and will not return home immediately after 3:30pm, or attending a residential visit, or where the medicine is an asthma inhaler). In order for the school to accept medication, the parent must sign a form disclosing all details and giving permission for the medication to be

3 administered by a member of staff (usually Mrs Steers, Mrs Conabeer or Mrs Hockin) The medicine must be kept in a locked cupboard (except where storage in a fridge is required) and only accessed by a responsible adult. The administering adult must record the date and time and details/dosage of the medication. This record is kept in the school office or temporarily in an appropriately safe place if away from school on educational visits. Under no circumstances should a parent send a child to school with any medicines, without informing the school and handing these to the office: these could cause a hazard to the child or to another child if found and swallowed. Parents are welcome to come into school to administer medicines themselves if the school is not able to do so for reasons given above. Unmedicated cough sweets are not permitted in school. Asthma Asthma medication must follow the same guidelines as any other medication with the exception of the following: Inhalers are to be kept in the classroom with the pupil Inhalers may be given more than twice a day if necessary Please see appendix A - How to Recognise and Manage an Asthma Attack Process for the Administration of Medicines in School long term medical needs A child requiring medication for a long term condition or need will be individually assessed according to the needs of that condition please see the Management of Medical Conditions Policy.

4 Appendix A Asthma Procedure HOW TO RECOGNISE AND MANAGE AN ASTHMA ATTACK The signs of an asthma attack are Persistent cough (when at rest) A wheezing sound coming from the chest (when at rest) Difficulty breathing (the child could be breathing fast and with effort, using all accessory muscles in the upper body) Nasal flaring Unable to talk or complete sentences. Some children will go very quiet. May try to tell you that their chest feels tight (younger children may express this as tummy ache) WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENT OF AN ASTHMA ATTACK Keep calm and reassure the child Encourage the child to sit up and slightly forward Use the child s own inhaler if not available, use the emergency inhaler (held in the school office) Remain with the child while the inhaler and spacer are brought to them Immediately help the child to take two separate puffs of salbutamol via the spacer If there is no immediate improvement, continue to give two puffs at a time every two minutes, up to a maximum of 10 puffs

5 Stay calm and reassure the child. Stay with the child until they feel better. The child can return to school activities when they feel better If the child does not feel better or you are worried at ANYTIME before you have reached 10 puffs, CALL 999 FOR AN AMBULANCE If an ambulance does not arrive in 10 minutes give another 10 puffs in the same way CALL AN AMBULANCE IMMEDIATELY AND COMMENCE THE ASTHMA ATTACK PROCEDURE WITHOUT DELAY IF THE CHILD Appears exhausted Has a blue/white tinge around lips Is going blue Has collapsed (This information was taken from the guidance for the emergency use of inhalers in schools in March 2015)