Dunston St Peter’s Church of England Primary School
Back Lane, Dunston, LN4 2EH
Digby Church of England Primary School
Church Street, Digby, Lincoln LN4 3LZ
MEDICATION AND ILLNESS IN SCHOOL POLICY
Medication
In view of the sensitive nature of issues relating to the use of medication in school,
as a general rule medicines/drugs will not be administered to pupils whilst they are
in school. However, there are two types of cases where the administration of
medicines/drugs may be an exception to this rule:
i)
where the child has some form of chronic illness such as diabetes,
epilepsy, asthma, hay fever, migraine or medication is part of the
ongoing treatment/support for a specific special need.
In these cases, only medicines prescribed by a registered medical practitioner and
labelled by a chemist with the child’s name and the amount/frequency of dosage,
should be accepted into school – where they will normally be kept in the staff fridge
in the staff room. All medication should be handed in directly to the school office
and an ‘Administering of Medicine Form’ must be signed by the
parent/carer/guardian before any medicines can be administered.
Asthma Inhalers are an exception to this rule and should be stored appropriately
within the classroom and be to hand in the appropriate areas during PE so that a
child has supervised access at all times. Inhalers should be clearly marked with the
child’s name. Again, school should receive a completed ‘Administering of Medicine
Form’, signed by the parent/carer/guardian to support the administration of the
inhaler.
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Medication and Illness in School Policy April 2012
(Revision Date: Oct 2015)
If there is any ambiguity in the instructions received about medication for a
particular child, the Headteacher will seek clarification with the parent/carer/GP (as
appropriate) before medication is administered.
Where a specific treatment, such as an epipen, is required as part of the treatment,
designated staff will receive appropriate training.
ii)
where the child is fit for school, but the minor illness requires them to
complete a course of antibiotics.
If it is necessary for a child to receive medication in school, facilities will be made
available for a parent/carer or his/her nominated agent to come into school to
administer the dosage. If the parent/carer cannot personally visit the school, a
letter authorising their agent must be received. THE SCHOOLS DISCLAIM ALL
RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY ACTS OR OMISSIONS ON THE PART OF PARENTS’/CARERS’
AGENTS IN SUCH CASES. Under no circumstances will drugs be accepted into school
in unmarked containers. Staff being asked to accept such drugs or discovering the
drugs on a child should report this to the Headteacher, who will contact the
parents/carers and return the medication unopened/unadministered. This includes
cough sweets and Strepsils.
Parents/carers should liaise with the Headteacher in respect of all such cases.
iii)
Non-prescription remedies must be clearly labelled for the child for
whom it is intended and accompanied by the signed Administering of
Medicine form. This includes cough sweets, Strepsils, travel sickness
tablets, etc.
Illness
In the event of a child feeling unwell in school, the parent/carer/guardian will be
contacted to collect their child. If they are not available, the given emergency
contacts will be contacted. Parents/carers should ensure that, during school hours,
the school has an available contact number and that they have adequate provision
to ensure their child can be collected in such circumstances. In the event of severe
illness or a serious accident, the emergency services/doctors will be contacted and
parents/carers/guardian notified as soon as possible of this action.
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Medication and Illness in School Policy April 2012
(Revision Date: Oct 2015)
If a child is absent from school due to illness, school should be notified by
telephone/note (directly from the parent/carer/guardian, not via a sibling),
explaining the child’s absence, by 9 am on each day of any given absence. The
school will aim to contact parents/carers on the day of un-notified absence (utilising
the given home and emergency contact numbers), where a message has not been
received – to ensure that parents/carers are aware of their child’s absence.
Certain infectious diseases must be notified immediately to the District Health
Authority. Further information about this is to be found on the Department of
Health poster ‘Guidance on infection control in schools and nurseries’. This poster is
displayed in the School Offices and in the staff rooms.
In the event of a child being returned to school earlier than the recommended
period for a particular infectious disease, the Headteacher reserves the right to
request that the child be collected from school and ‘short-term exclusion’ would be
considered where parents/carers were not willing to comply.
Verrucae
It is now not regarded as necessary for pupils to be excluded from swimming or PE
in relation to verrucae. If a child with verrucae is doing P.E. in the hall (bare feet)
then they must wear plimsolls.
Headlice
It is the parent’s/carer’s responsibility to be vigilant and to check their child’s hair
regularly and to take appropriate action to treat head lice. We encourage
parents/carers to notify the school, in confidence, so that general reminders to
check pupils can be given.
Vomiting/Diarrhoea
Children should remain away from school for 48 hours from the last episode of
diarrhoea or vomiting.
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Medication and Illness in School Policy April 2012
(Revision Date: Oct 2015)
Signed:
Mr. A. Mitchell
Chair of Digby Governing Body
Date:
Signed:
Mr. L. Bannister
Chair of Dunston Governing Body
Date:
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Medication and Illness in School Policy April 2012
(Revision Date: Oct 2015)