Management of Medications Protocol

(including EYFS)
This applies to Junior School, Senior School and EYFS

1. Introduction

1.1 Many pupils will need to take medication at some time during their school life. As far as possible medication should be taken at home and should only be taken in school when absolutely essential. However some pupils may require regular medication on a long-term basis to treat medical conditions which, if not managed correctly, could limit their access to education. Legislation introduced in September 2002 extends the powers of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, making it unlawful to treat disabled pupils unfavourably.

1.2 It is the responsibility of parents:

• To ensure their child is well enough to attend school

• To provide full details of any medical condition affecting their child and any regular medication required by the child

• To keep the school informed of any changes to their child’s health or medication

1.3 As a Registered Nurse and in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Code of Conduct (2015), the School Nurse may administer medication in school on a regular or occasional basis with the written consent of parents.

1.4 In the absence of the school nurse, other members of staff can administer medication to pupils if they have been specifically authorised and trained to do so by the Nurse (Appendix 1)

1.5 Staff 

1.6 Pupils over the age of 16 years (or those deemed suitably competent) may give their own consent.

2.0 All Medicines

2.1 With the exception of asthma inhalers, adrenaline pens & Insulin pumps/pens, students should not carry any form of prescribed or over the counter medication or drugs.

2.2 Any prescribed medication that a student requires during school hours must be handed to the school nurse (or her trained deputy). It must be in its original packaging as dispensed by the pharmacist, in date, labelled with the student’s full name and include instructions for administration, storage and dose. A ’Consent to administer prescribed medication form must be completed by the parent.

2.3 Nurses or trained deputy may not dispense the first 2 doses of an antibiotic in case of an allergic reaction.

3.0 Regular Medication

3.1 All medicines brought to school, whether prescribed by a doctor or not should be handed to the School Nurse or her deputy in their original packaging for safe storage and accompanied either by a letter from the child’s doctor giving details of administration (dose, time, etc) or a completed consent form (Appendix 2 & 3)

3.2 The only routine exception to this is asthma inhalers and insulin pumps/pens and in some instances, adrenaline pens which need to be readily accessible throughout the school day and should be kept with the child (see storage of Medicines).

3.3 Storage of adrenaline pens & insulin pens, should be discussed between parents and School Nurse (See section 4.0)

3.4 When regular doses of medication are required in school these should be given at break or lunchtimes to avoid disruption to the school day.

3.5 Short courses of medication, for example antibiotics, should be brought to school each day in the original packaging as stated above and will be returned to the child at the end of the school day.

4.0 Emergency Medications

4.1 If a child has a known allergy that requires prescribed emergency medications, an emergency pack will be created by the school nurse and be kept in a labelled bag at either senior or junior reception.

4.2 This pack must be accessible at all times to staff and students.  It is the student's responsibility to ensure they take their bag when leaving the school site and return it to reception.  If in year 3 or below, it is the class teacher's responsibility.

4.3 An individualised care plan will accompany the pack.

4.4 As stipulated under the staff duty of care in the GDST Administration of Medicines protocol 2013, any member of staff assisting in an emergency in good faith and acting reasonably and responsibly may administer emergency medication.

4.5 Generic Emergency (Salbutamol) Inhaler Kits are kept by the school (see 6.2 for locations).

4.6 Generic Emergency Adrenaline Auto-injectors (AAI), junior and adult are kept by the school (see 6.9 for locations)

5.0 ‘Over the counter’/ Non-Prescription Medications

5.1 The School Nurse keeps a stock of everyday remedies for common ailments.

5.2 Parents are asked to indicate consent for the School Nurse or her trained deputy to administer these medicines as required when their child joins WHS on the medical questionnaire filled in on entry.

Current stock items are:

• Paracetamol tablets/syrup

• Antihistamine tablets/syrup

• Throat lozenges

• Antihistamine cream

5.3 Paracetamol & Antihistamine may also be kept at Senior and Junior school reception in a locked cabinet/room.

5.4 Any other OTC medication required for a student’s use must be discussed between the parent and the School Nurse and a ‘consent to administer over the counter medication’ form must be completed.

1. Criteria, in the national standards for under 8s day care providers, make it clear that

non-prescription medicines should not normally be administered.

1. Any medication given in school should be recorded in the following places,

• CPOMS 
• Record sheet given to student to take home (Juniors)
• Student’s planner indicating the dose, strength and time of administration. (Seniors)
• EYFS - Every effort will be made to contact the parents of pupils in EYFS before any medication is given.

6.0 Storage of Medicines

6.1 Most medicines are stored in a locked cupboard in the Medical Room with the keys held by the School Nurse. However some medication must be readily accessible in case of emergency and it is good practice to encourage pupils to manage their own medication for conditions such as asthma, diabetes and severe allergies once they are considered competent to do so. Our aim is to encourage the students to be responsible and independent managers of their condition whilst providing the necessary professional support.

6.2 If a student suffers from asthma and needs to use an inhaler, one should be provided clearly labelled with her name and form.  The inhaler should be carried with her at all times.  Emergency asthma inhaler kits are kept in the following places,

 Senior Reception

 Hastings dining room

Top of Steam

 Sports Hall

 Nursery Road

 Medical Room

These are for use by all staff in the event of a child having an asthma attack and their inhaler not being available

6.3 Regarding girls in EYFS, the inhaler will be kept in an identified place in the girl’s classroom.

6.4 Regarding girls in Key stage 1, the inhaler will be kept in their named tray in their classroom.

6.5 Exceptions and Individual arrangements can be discussed between the School Nurse, parents and the student.

6.6 Emergency medications – See Section 4.0

6.7 If a medicine requires refrigeration it must be stored in the drug fridge in the medical room.

6.8 Any controlled drugs must be stored in the medical room drug cabinet.

6.9 Emergency Adrenaline Auto-injector kits are located in the following places

• Medical Room

• Hastings Dining Hall
  
• Sixth Cafe

• Nursery Road Medical room

7.0 Administration of Medicines in the School Nurse’s Absence

7.1 In the absence of the School Nurse it will be the responsibility of a nominated, trained member of staff to administer any regular medication to individual pupils.

7.2 Other members of staff should not give any medicines to pupils without specific training and authority from the School Nurse, unless it is an emergency situation (see section 4.4). As per training, before any medication is administered the staff member should check the following;

• The Child’s name

• The consent form is completed

• The name of the medication, it’s expiry date and its original packaging

• Prescribed dose and method of administration

• Time/frequency of administration

• Written instructions by prescriber

• Potential side effects

7.3 In the unlikely event of an error in the administration of a medicine The pupil should be observed, action taken to prevent any harm to the pupil and the parent’s notified immediately. The Head should be informed and appropriate documentation completed.

8.0 Educational Visits

8.1 Staff supervising excursions should meet with the School Nurse to review all the students medical details at least two weeks prior to the excursion.

8.2 A copy of any health care plans should be taken.

8.3 Medication required on Junior School visits will be held by the trip leader and given when appropriate.

8.4 Junior School pupils who have a prescribed AAI and/or inhaler should carry their own AAI/inhaler with them at all times and the trip leader must hold a second one for use in an emergency.

8.5 Senior School pupils are responsible for bringing emergency medicines with them on visits. However, staff must check that pupils have this medication before departing on the visit especially if the pupil has an allergy, is asthmatic or is diabetic. The trip leader must carry a second AAI/inhaler in case of emergencies.

9.0 Record Keeping

9.1 Whenever any medication is administered a record of this must be noted. This needs to include the pupil’s name, medication, dose, date of administration and name and sign is true of the person administering. This should be recorded in the following places;

• CPOMS

• Student planner (seniors only)
  
• Student medical note (Juniors)

10.0 Staff medications

10.1 All staff who need to bring prescribed or over the counter medication to work/school trips for personal use must ensure it is kept in a safe and secure place out of reach of children, especially in an EYFS setting

11.0 Disposal of medications

11.1 All expired individual pupil medication should be returned to the parents for safe disposal. In the event that this is not possible, all medication will be disposed of safely and appropriately by the school nurse.

Further information

GDST Administration of Medicines Protocol, 2013.

APPENDIX 1

REGISTER OF STAFF TRAINED TO ADMINISTER MEDICATION