Warden Hill Junior School Administration of Medicines Policy

Warden Hill Junior SchoolAdministration of Medicines PolicyStaff Responsible: Mr WelchGovernors Committee: ResourcesEdition Date: November 2008Review Date: November 2010

Warden Hill Junior SchoolPolicy on the Administration of MedicinesAs a general rule it is unnecessary for children to receive medicines in school andwhere children attending school are receiving medication, the prescribing doctorusually makes every effort to ensure that the dosage can be given by parents athome.However, some pupils will at some time during their school careers have a medicalcondition that may affect the extent to which they can participate in schoolactivities. This will be of a short duration for many and have little impact otherthan finishing a course of medicine.Schools have a moral and civil duty to the pupils in their care and staff, especiallyteachers "stand in Loco Parentis" which extends their duty of care for the pupils.This allows teachers and nominated staff greater discretion to administermedicines if they follow certain strictly controlled guidance.The school issues guidance to parents on the administration of medicines in theschool prospectus.Administration of Medicines in schoolThe Welfare Assistant is responsible for the administration and storage ofmedicines in school.In her absence this responsibility may be deputised to the Senior Mid DaySupervisor or another specified and appropriately qualified First Aider.The school will only ever administer medicine prescribed by a medical professionalin the original container from the chemist to the named child. Any administrationwill be in accordance with the label issued by the chemist.The medicine must be in the original container clearly labelled with:• The child's name• Name of medication• Strength of medicine(if appropriate)• How much to be given (dose)• When to be given• Expiry date• Any other instructionsBefore administering any medicines the school will ensure that parents completeand return the School Medicine Record Form. (Appendix A)2

When medicines are administered by staff the School Medicine Record Form iscompleted.These forms are kept in a folder in the Medical Room.In the cases of children who have severe or life threatening conditions all staff(who have contact with that child) will be made aware.Information on these pupils is located in the Staff Room and the Medical Room.The Welfare Assistant will maintain this in a timely fashion.Storage of MedicinesMedicines are always stored securely in the Medical Room. They are eitherlocked in the Medicine Cabinet or in the fridge.Medication which is out of date or no longer required should not be allowed toaccumulate. At that time it should be returned immediately to the relevantparent/carer in person for disposal. All medication has an expiry date afterwhich point it should not be used.AdviceWe will seek advice on the needs of individual or groups of children whenappropriate. Parents may also be directed to the relevant health professional,e.g. the School Health Team (01582 708228)3

Warden Hill Junior School - School Medicine RecordChild's NameClassDate of BirthToday's DateName of medicinePrescribing DoctorDosageWhen to be givenLength of treatmentAny other instructionsTelephone number ofparent/carerTick appropriate box:Medicine to be left at schoolMedicine to be taken home dailyIn consideration for the Head teacher or the school's staff agreeing to givemedication to my/our above named child during school hours; I/we agree to indemnifythe Head teacher, the school staff and the Local Authority against all claims, costs,actions and demands whatsoever resulting from the administration of the medicineunless such claims, costs, actions or demands result out of the negligence of theHead teacher, the school's staff or the Local Authority.Parental Signature_______________________Name______________If more than one medicine is to be given a separate form should be completed foreach.School Use OnlyDateTimeGivenSignDate medicine returned to parent on completion ofcourse_______________________4