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Medicines Management in schools
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions/Comments
Response
Record management
1
Administration Of Medicine-should appendix B be given to all parents when
we administer medicine?
2
How long should schools maintain medical records?
3
If a parent comes into school and gives their child medication, does the school
need to fill out a form?
4
What records do we have to keep if the parent physically comes in to school
and hands their child painkillers at the child’s request?
Do primary schools pass on parental agreements to secondary schools, if
records have to be kept for a minimum of 10 yrs?
5
6
Appendix B: Head teacher /parent form. What if it’s not every day that
Yes. Written records must be kept for administration of medication in
accordance with section 36 of the DoE Statutory Guidance ‘Supporting
pupils at school with medical conditions’
Appendix A and B and D and I should be retained until beyond their
18th birthday (I would suggest until they are 21).
It is advised that records should not be kept ad infinitum. The storage
of personal information should have an “end date” as to when it is
destroyed.
Parents should not be expected to come into school in order school to
administer medication. If they choose to do so, the school should not
complete the forms as they have not taken responsibility of the
administration. If seen or witnessed good practice would be to speak to
the parent making them aware of the schools ‘supporting pupils at
school with medical conditions’ policy.
As above
No each setting is responsible for their administration of medication
records. New documentation would be required for each school
setting.
If the school are administering the medication, then the school should
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medication is required, eg only if inhalers are needed-what forms do we fill in?
have a completed headteacher and parent form (Appendix A and B of
the policy) on record. For each administration of that medication
schools must complete Appendix D Administration of medication to a
child. If the school has a form from the parents stating that the young
person is competent to administer their own medication then the
school does not need to complete a record of administration each time
the young person uses their inhaler. However if it has been agreed that
the child would be supervised the school might feel (dependent on
type of medication or what is contained within the Individual health
care plan) that they would like to keep a record that the child has been
witnessed. If the child/young person carries their own inhaler then
Appendix C will need to be completed.
7
Head teachers agreement : e.g Inhalers as and when ?-A form every time
See above.
8
We store the inhalers in the classrooms for quick and easy use. All our
Middays are 1st Aid trained and they administer inhalers during lunchtime,
when necessary (or oversee). Are they allowed to do this-are they adequately
trained? Also are the teachers or Teaching Assistants allowed or would it be
the responsibility of the person attending the training this morning?
More training through clusters would advantageous.
Staff with responsibility to administer medication must be suitably
trained. To administer medication staff must have completed ‘Basic
medication awareness Training’ or equivalent within the last three
years. Sessions were run by Freda Hann and the school nursing service
in addition to the session on 17th October at the Stadium. Staff
administering asthma inhalers must also complete the ‘asthma
awareness’ training run by the school nursing service. Ist Aid training is
not sufficient to enable staff to administer medication. If you have any
queries regarding training please contact the school nursing service.
Asthma inhalers can be stored in the classroom for example in a child’s
book bag or tray so they are readily accessible if needed.
Medicine Management
9
Should Movecol medicine be administered by staff in school on a regular
basis?
Movecol medicine was put In a juice bottle so the child could drink it through
the day in class -is this appropriate?
Administering Movicol should not usually be the school’s responsibility
to administer, as it is possible for parents to administer the required
doses outside of school hours. An exception would be if the school had
agreed to administer Movicol as part of a multi-agency meeting such as
core group or CIN or if the child/young person has an individual
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healthcare plan. In this case it should be administered as any other
medication so parental consent needs to be given, records kept etc.
It wouldn’t be appropriate for the child to drink it through the day in
class as there would be no control or monitoring of that over such a
long period of time. It might also be difficult to ensure that other
children don’t access it.
10
3 times per day8am -3.30pm-6.30pm? Not taken at even intervals
11
How do you measure medicines given by parent and returned?
What training do we have to do to administer medicine?
12
Paracetamol has been covered.-non prescribed tablets/medicines. With
written consent do we give or can we refuse medicine/creams?
Schools must consider each child’s individual circumstances, when
determining if administration of medication is appropriate during
school hours. Factors to consider may include the age of the child, as
younger children have earlier bed times so it may be necessary to
administer such medication at school, however for older children it
may be possible to do this outside of normal school hours. Also there
maybe issues around intervals between medication or whether it
needs to be taken with a substantial meal or it might need to be fitted
around other medication.
If it isn’t possible to give an accurate measurement of returned
medication, for example asthma inhalers, then a best guess should be
given, perhaps considering weight etc. As stated above, staff with
responsibility to administer medication must have completed ‘Basic
medication awareness Training’ within the last three years. Sessions
were run by Freda Hann and the school nursing service in addition to
the session on 17th October at the Stadium. Staff administering asthma
inhalers must also complete the ‘asthma awareness’ training run by the
school nursing service. Please contact your school nurse for further
information.
Non prescribed medication, including tablets and creams, such as
allergy relief and paracetamol can be administered in school as long as
schools follow the ‘Supporting pupils at school with medical conditions
policy’. Medication should be provided in the original packaging and
written records must be kept in line with the policy. The school should
obtain confirmation from the parent/carer that the child has used this
medication before and did not suffer any allergic or other adverse
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reaction. Sun cream is not covered by this policy.
With regards to sun cream, schools are expected to “take a sensible
approach to this issue” in line with the NICE guidelines. We would
advocate that each school has a sun protection policy considering the
NICE guidance on developing such policies. Within those policies a
parent would usually get permission for teachers to supervise only the
application of sunscreen. The ideal is that each pupil would have their
own sunscreen. The policy would also look at hats, keeping covered up,
education etc. Cancer Research UK have produced a draft policy that
schools can adopt which is in line with NICE guidelines, link below.
http://www.sunsmart.org.uk/schools/schoolpolicyguidelines/sunprotection-school-policy-guidelines
13
We have care plans for children with allergies, are we meant to have them for
children with diabetes etc?
Children with complex medical needs such as Type 1 Diabetes will
require individual Health Care Plans. Individual Health Care Plans are
required to manage a child’s/young person’s medical needs safely
throughout the school day. Please see appendix I in the ‘Supporting
pupils at school with medical conditions policy’ previously circulated to
schools. Each case is reviewed individually – please speak to the school
nurse who can advise.
14
Who provides the emergency inhalers?
Schools have been provided with a letter template that they can use to
purchase Salbutamol inhalers from their local pharmacy, copy
attached.
Template Signed
Order Salbutamol Nov 14.docx
In line with the policy schools may wish to discuss with their
community pharmacist the different plastic spacers available and what
is most appropriate for the age-group in the school. Community
pharmacists can also provide advice on use of the inhaler. Schools
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should be aware that pharmacies cannot provide inhalers and spacers
free of charge and will charge for them. With regard to care of the
inhaler, the two named volunteers amongst school staff should have
responsibility for ensuring that:
1) On a monthly basis the inhaler and spacers are present and in
working order, and the inhaler has sufficient number of doses
available;
2) That replacement inhalers are obtained when expiry dates
approach;
3) During an incident, spacers should be available for use for an
individual child and must be replaced following use;
4) The plastic inhaler housing (which holds the canister) has been
cleaned, dried and returned to storage following use, or that
replacements are available if necessary.
15
We have policy at the moment not to administer calpol and any
medicines not prescribed – should we continue to do this?
Schools must not have a blanket policy saying no non-prescription
medications, which would include calpol. Section 5 particularly section
5(c) of the policy should be applied to all non-prescription medications.
Schools must not hold their own stocks of Calpol or other pain
relief, but can administer if medication is supplied by parents in
accordance with ‘Supporting pupils at school with medical
conditions policy’.
If a pupil is regularly utilising non-prescribed medication then
consideration should be given to whether an individual healthcare plan
is required. Please contact the school nurse if you have any queries
regarding the need for an Individual Healthcare plan.
16
17
Can we hold medication for children to take as required: i.e
paracetemol/ ibuprofen?
Do we have to give pain relief now, as our policy is to ring parents to
come in and administer it
No, as above.
Parents should not be required to come into school to administer
medication. Schools should administer medication, including
painkillers, in line with the ‘Supporting pupils at school with
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18
19
20
21
Do all children need to be accompanied to the medical room at High
School?
We are a maintained nursery school and according to the speaker we
should have a NAMED person watch this space- I have been at the
school 27 yrs. And I am yet to be given a NAMED SCHOOL NURSE!
(Birchfield Nursery)
Some schools do not know who their school nurse is (who is allocated
to the school)
Which conditions require a health care plan? How do we know /get
information? Do these children always have support from medical
professional in place already?
22
If you are taking children on a residential- can you take a school stock of
pain relief in case of emergency to dispense? (parents sign a release
form as part of documentation for residential)
23
Can Halton Lea /Nursing Team provide all LEA schools (primary
secondary) with a model or exemplar letter to go out to parents/carers
re: ‘Administration of Medicine’ ( to include advice re: 3 tablets daily
not to be given in school)
medical conditions policy’. Medication must be provided for the
child from the parent and all written records completed.
Yes, all children and young people should be accompanied to the
medical room in accordance with the policy.
School nurses work with school aged children and young people,
therefore they are named for primary and secondary schools but
not for nursery schools. Health Visitors are still responsible for
children up to school age.
A list of the school nurses for each school will be provided.
Your school nurse can advise on the need for a Health Care Plan
and on any support/training that may be required. Children with
complex medical needs such as Type 1 Diabetes will require
Health Care Plans. Health Care Plans are required to manage a
child’s/young person’s medical needs safely throughout the
school day. Each child’s medical needs are considered on an
individual basis. Please contact the school nursing service for
advice.
In accordance with the ‘Supporting pupils at school with medical
conditions policy’ schools must not keep stocks of pain relief
either in school or on residential trips. However schools can
administer medication whilst on school trips where it has been
provided by the parent in accordance with the requirements of
the policy.
Schools must consider each child/young person’s individual
circumstances in determining whether medication needs to be
administered during the school day. As an example a younger
child with an earlier bedtime, may require medication to be
administered during the school day in these circumstances.
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Schools should draft any letters required to advise parents.
Schools should also consider putting the policy onto the school’s
website.
24
Schools are now able to purchase salbutamol inhalers. Is there advice
on how many each school should purchase, likely costs and also a
template letter that schools can use?
Based on the ‘Response to the consultation MLX 385’ document
available here DH estimates nationally that prices for one inhaler were
somewhere between £1.50 to £10. The guidance said for a large school
up to 3-6 might be required. Please note that these figures aren’t exact
quotes but based on expert discussions aimed at: schools, school
governors, parents, young people, manufacturers and distributors of
inhalers. Please see question 14 for the template letter that schools
can use. This will be included in a revised ‘Supporting pupils at school
with medical conditions’ policy and circulated to schools.
School Trips - Medicines Management
25
When a child goes on a school trip the parent comes in with anti-sickness
tablets in an envelope?
26
Do staff on school trips have to have been trained to give medication?
(Someone might not always be available if it’s a residential.
27
Residential Trips - Can Calpol /pararcetamol be a central medication to
be given if needed with parents’ consent? Instead of parents sending
child’s own, leaving staff with 15 separate sets of medication.
No. In accordance with the ‘Supporting pupils at school with
medical conditions’ policy, all medication must be provided in
the original packaging as supplied from the pharmacy, envelopes
are not appropriate.
Yes, all staff administering medication, whether at school, on a
school trip or in a residential setting must be appropriately
trained, see 30 below.
In accordance with the policy, older children who are competent
to do so, can keep their own supply of medication, such as
painkillers. However for younger children or those not
competent to do so, then medication will need to be provided by
parents and handed over to staff for administration on the school
trip. Medication is individual to the child and we acknowledge that this
may require the school to have 15 separate sets of medication.
Medication must be in date, appropriately labelled in accordance with
the policy, stored securely but also readily available in case of
emergency such as asthma inhalers.
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28
Residentials - Is it acceptable to have school Calpol? i.e: to manage a
temperature in an emergency.
No, see 15 above. This applies both in schools and on school trips
including residential settings.
Training
29
Can hand-washing team come into school early in year?
30
Who can provide training for other member of staff on Administration of
medicine – does it need to be HBC or can it be an external provider?
31
What is considered suitable training to administer medicine?
32
How do we know how many trained staff are sufficient? Who provides
training?
33
Do staff who administer medicines need to have refresher training annually? Or how often would you advise training be done?.
34
Can only the people who have attended the training today give medicine?- Or
other staff too?
The school nursing service can provide hand hygiene sessions in
schools. Please contact your school nurse for further information.
Halton Borough Council in conjunction with the school nursing service
will be organising 2 further basic medication awareness training
sessions end November/December. The school should contact the
school nursing service for advice if they are considering using an
external provider to ensure that any training is appropriate and
relevant.
The ‘Basic Medication Awareness Training’ previously delivered by
Freda Hann and the school nursing service, or the training session we
ran on 17th October are considered appropriate training to deliver basic
medication. Further training will be required to administer asthma
medication or epi-pens and for pupils with complex medical needs.
Please contact your school nurse for further information and advice.
It is the responsibility of each school to determine how many staff
should be trained and this is likely to vary from school to school. In
accordance with the policy each school is required to have a ‘named
person’ with responsibility from implementing the policy, they should
be able to advise.
For staff administering basic medication, staff should undertake the
‘basic medication awareness’ training at least every three years.
However for children with more complex needs, refresher training
should be undertaken annually or as appropriate in response to the
child’s medical needs. Please contact the school nurse for further
advice.
The ‘Basic Medication Awareness Training’ previously delivered by
Freda Hann and the school nursing service, or the training session we
ran on 17th October are considered appropriate training to deliver basic
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35
Does a qualified Dr need to be 1st Aid trained for school? We have a teaching
assistant who is a Dr.
36
To give non-care plan medicines e.g Penicillin, does each member of staff
need ‘Administering of Medicine’ training?
Clarify persons’ able to give medicine- can it be a 1st Aider?
37
medication. Further training will be required to administer asthma
medication or epi-pens and for pupils with complex medical needs.
Please contact your school nurse for further information and advice.
Two further training sessions end November/early December are
planned.
All staff who administer medication must have completed the ‘basic
medication awareness’ training previously delivered by Freda Hann and
the school nursing service, or the training session we ran on 17th
October. Ist Aid training will not be sufficient to enable staff to
administer medication. Unless the Doctor is a medical Doctor as
opposed to holding a doctorate in anything other than medicine then
the training will still be a requirement.
Yes, see above, in accordance with the ‘Supporting pupils at school
with medical conditions’ policy.
No, not unless the 1st aider also has completed ‘basic medication
awareness’ training. See answer above.