PETERSFIELD CHURCH of ENGLAND (AIDED) PRIMARY SCHOOL, ORWELL
Policy for
Medical Needs - Medicines Policy
This policy is one of a set of policies concerning Medical Needs. It should be read in conjunction
with the following related policies:
 Medical Needs – First Aid
 Medical Needs – Body Fluids
 Medical Needs – Long Term Medical Conditions
 Medical Needs – Asthma
Policy aims
• The main aim of this policy is to support individual children with medical needs to achieve
regular attendance.
• A second aim is to reduce cross-infection risk between children, to increase whole-school
attendance.
• A third aim is to ensure that medicines given at school are stored and administered safely.
To support these aims it is essential the number of medicines kept and administered in school is
kept to a minimum and that accurate record keeping is maintained.
Parents and carers are asked to support the school with this policy, which aims to protect all our
children.
Please do not send children to school if they are unwell. Common childhood illnesses and
recommended exclusion timescales are listed at the bottom of this policy for guidance.
There is no legal requirement for school staff to administer medicines. Staff are expected to do
what is reasonable and practical to support the inclusion of all pupils.
Non-prescribed medicines
The school will not be able to store or give medicines that have not been prescribed to a child
(e.g. Calpol, Piriton or cough medicines). Please make arrangements to come into school if you
wish to give your child these medicines.
Short Term Prescribed medicines
If medicines are prescribed up to 3 times a day, the expectation is that parents or carers will give
these medicines outside of school hours.
If medicines are prescribed 4 times a day, the school strongly encourages parents or carers to
make arrangements to come into school to administer these medicines themselves. Parents and
carers will definitely be required to administer the first 24 hour dose of any new prescription, for
example antibiotics.
Please consider whether your child is well enough to be at school if they require medicine
4 times a day.
If the school agrees to assist parents and carers to administer a medicine to their child, on a
temporary basis, the medicine must be provided in its original container and must have been
dispensed by a pharmacist and must have a label showing:
• Name of child.
• Name of medicine.
• Dose.
• Method of administration.
• Time/frequency of administration.
The instruction leaflet with prescribed medicines should show:
July 2012
Medical Needs - Medicines Policy
Page 1 of 4
PETERSFIELD CHURCH of ENGLAND (AIDED) PRIMARY SCHOOL, ORWELL
• Any side effects.
• Expiry date.
The school will provide Short Term Medication Request form, and parents/carers must complete
and sign one of these forms if they leave medicine at school.
Before administering any medication, the member of staff involved will always check the
Administration of Medicines Book to ensure that the required dose has not already been given.
Once the medication has been given, the person administering the dose completes the
Administration of Medicines Book with the appropriate information, including child’s name,
dosage given, date and time the medication was administered and signature.
Note: For controlled schedule 2 drugs, for example Ritalin, legal guidelines are followed.
Long Term Prescribed Medication
Long term medication applies to medication that must be given over a long period of time or
medication that must be stored at school in case it is required, for example asthma inhalers or
Epipens.
Parent/s or carers must complete a Long Term Medication Request form for every medicine. This
form contains details such as child’s name, dosage, times and dates medication should be
administered (if appropriate).
Long term medication requirements are accompanied by a Care Plan/Protocol, for example those
children who may require the use of an Epipen. All Care Plans are discussed and produced with
involvement from the parent/s or carers. In addition, a named member of staff will receive any
necessary additional information and/or training. It is current practice that all staff are trained in
the use of Epipens. For other conditions such as epilepsy the school nurse or parent/s or carers
may come into the school to give a talk on the condition to staff and possibly class mates.
All long term medication requirements must be reviewed annually in September. This ensures
that information is kept up–to-date and that new class teachers and teaching assistants will be
informed as necessary.
Whenever medication has been given, the person administering the dose must complete the
Administration of Medicines Book with the appropriate information, including child’s name,
dosage given, date and time the medication was administered and signature. The parent/s or
carers are informed if this is not a routine dose.
Each class register includes details of the medical needs of the children in the class.
For educational visits of any duration, all medication is taken.
Note: For controlled schedule 2 drugs, for example Ritalin, legal guidelines are followed.
July 2012
Medical Needs - Medicines Policy
Page 2 of 4
PETERSFIELD CHURCH of ENGLAND (AIDED) PRIMARY SCHOOL, ORWELL
Self-Management
Children are encouraged to take responsibility for their own medicine from an early age. A good
example of this is children using their own asthma reliever. Parents/carers must still complete a
Long Term Medication Request form, noting that the child will self-administer and sign the form.
The school will store the medicine appropriately.
Refusing Medicine
When a child refuses medicine the parent or carer will be informed the same day.
Storage and Disposal of Medicine
All medicines are stored in the School office and refrigerated if necessary. Controlled drugs are
kept in a locked cupboard.
Medicines that have not been collected by parents at the end of each term will be safely disposed
of.
Emergency treatment and medicine administration
The school will call for medical assistance and the parent or named emergency contact will be
notified. The Governing Body will support and the LA will indemnify any member of staff who has
been trained, who assists with medicine in a reasonable good faith attempt to prevent or manage
an emergency situation, regardless of outcome.
Due for Review : 2015
Full consideration has been given to Equality, inclusion and Safeguarding (child
protection) in the preparation of this policy.
School illness exclusion guidelines attached.
July 2012
Medical Needs - Medicines Policy
Page 3 of 4
PETERSFIELD CHURCH of ENGLAND (AIDED) PRIMARY SCHOOL, ORWELL
School illness exclusion guidelines
Please check your child knows how to wash his/her hands thoroughly, to reduce risk of ross
infection. School attendance could be improved for all if children and families wash and dry
their hands well 5 or more times a day.
Disease
Chickenpox
Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
Nausea
Food Poisoning/Sickness
Diarrhea and/or vomiting
German Measles / Rubella
Hand, food and mouth disease
Head Lice
Cold Sores
Impetigo
Measles
Mumps
Ringworm
Scabies
Scalatina
Severe sore throat
Slapped Cheek
Threadworms
Whooping Cough
Viral infections
July 2012
Advice & Minimum Period of Absence from school
6 days from onset of spots and until scabs are dry
Until appropriate treatment has been given and condition has
significantly improved.
Nausea without vomiting. Return to school 24 hours after last felt
nauseous.
Until free of sickness and diarrhea for 24 hours, then 2 more
days. Please check your child understands why they need to wash
and dry hands frequently. Exclusion from swimming for two weeks.
5 days from onset of rash . Advice school immediately as any
pregnant staff member would need to be informed.
Until all blisters have crusted over. No exclusion from school if
only have white spots.
No exclusion, but please wet-comb thoroughly for first treatment,
and then every three days for next 2 weeks to remove all lice.
Only exclude if unwell. Encourage hand- washing to reduce viral
spread.
48 hours after antibiotic treatment has started and after the
sores have stopped blistering or crusting
7 days from onset of rash
5 days after swelling appears and until swelling has subsided
Until treatment has commenced
Your child can return to school once they have been given their
first treatment although itchiness may continue for the 3-4
weeks. All members of the household and those in close contact
should receive treatment.
For 5 days until rash has disappeared or 5 days of antibiotic
course has been completed.
Until appropriate treatment has been given and condition has
significantly improved.
No exclusion(Infectious before rash)
No exclusion. Encourage hand washing including nail scrubbing.
21 days from onset of cough
Exclude until child is well and temperature is normal(37 degrees)
Medical Needs - Medicines Policy
Page 4 of 4