Medical Policy

MEDICAL POLICY
To be read in conjunction with the First Aid Policy and Asthma Policy
Short Term Illness and Medicines
We advise that children on courses of prescribed medicine should not come to
school until they have fully recovered and are no longer infectious.
If prescribed medicines need to be continued when the pupil is fit and well enough to
be at school, administration of these can usually be facilitated around the school day.
For example, if a prescribed medicine has to be taken three times a day, this could
happen prior to school, after school and at bedtime.
Prescribed medication for short term illnesses cannot be administered by school
staff. Therefore, if a pupil needs prescribed medication during school hours, parents
or a named carer (the carer must be named within written consent from the parent
and verified by school) will need to come into school to administer the prescribed
medication.
Long-Term Illnesses and Medicines
School recognises the need to ensure continuing education for pupils who suffer
from long-term conditions and require medication. These pupils will have a Care
Plan, written by School Health with the parents and given to school. If School Health
identify that prescribed medicines need to be administered in school to pupils with a
Care Plan, school staff will be trained to do so.
It is parent responsibility to make sure that any medication that may need to be taken
in school, such as inhalers and Epi-Pens, are in school and in date. School will audit
any medication kept in school termly and, if it is out of date, school will contact
parents to renew the medication. It is expected that parents will keep school informed
of any changes to medication or care plans.
All medication held in school must be prescribed and still in the original containers
with prescription labels attached. Staff will only administer medication (quantity and
frequency) in accordance to the prescription label instructions. No other instructions
can be followed.
Training
Staff are trained on an annual basis regarding the administration of Epi-Pens. Epi-
Pens are stored securely but accessibly in the school office.
Qualified Medical Staff
Please see below for the list of trained staff.
Injuries at School
Minor Injuries
Children regularly suffer bumps and bruises whilst in the playground and these
sometimes occur in Physical Education or in classrooms. Where a minor accident
occurs, the First Aid Policy procedure will be followed.
More Serious Injuries
If the first-aider feels that the injury is more serious, they will follow the First Aid
procedures and contact parents. The parents will also receive a treatment slip on
which the first-aider will record the fact that a telephone call has been made. A call
home will be made for all head bumps/injuries which are also recorded on a white
board located in the School Office.
School expects staff to err on the side of caution and contact parents if they have the
slightest concern. In particular, school will contact parents or named contact if a pupil
has received a head injury.
Emergency Procedures
In the event of a serious injury, the Office Staff will contact the Emergency Services
first and then immediately inform the pupil’s parents or named contact that this has
been done.
Asthma
See separate Asthma Policy
First-Aid Box
A first-aid box is situated in the Medical Room and members of staff have
responsibility to ensure that this is appropriately stocked. Children are not permitted
to access any first aid items.
School Trips
When a school trip takes place, it is the responsibility of the Visit Leader to ensure
that they take a first aid kit and the appropriate school forms. It is also the
responsibility of the Visit Leader to ensure that a First Aider accompanies the trip and
has all medication (inhalers, Epi-Pen etc) securely stored and accessible.
If a child requires travel sickness remedy, parents/carers must provide written
consent for a member of staff to administer it and it is provided in its original
container.
Where pupils are attending residential visits, parents will be asked to discuss
medication before the visit and sign an additional permission form, which will be held
by the First Aider who is accompanying the visit. When the First Aider issues any
medication, a second member of staff must be present. All medication that is
administered will be recorded with the date, time given and double signed by the
First Aider and other adult present.
All medication required for a residential visit must be handed by parents directly to
the First Aider. All medication must be prescribed and still in the original containers
with prescription labels attached. Staff will only administer medication (quantity and
frequency) in accordance to the prescription label instructions. No other instructions
can be followed.
Staff Accidents
Where a member of staff is subject to an injury within school, the Headteacher must
be informed so that appropriate monitoring can take place. Incidents are recorded
using the ‘Incident Report Form 012’, of which a copy is kept in the school office.
Infectious Diseases
The latest Public Health England Guidance on Infection Control in Schools and other
Childcare Settings (2017) is displayed in the First Aid room, the school office and
Staff Room.
