- Parents have the responsibility for the health and care of their child
- Children who are unwell or have contagious conditions should, in fairness to themselves and others, not be at school
- The wellbeing and safety of the students in our care is of prime importance
- The administering of medication is a very serious responsibility for both parents and staff
- Procedures for the administering of medication must protect the child, staff, parents, and other children
- The procedure for the administering of medication will vary depending on the child’s need for the medication.
Administering Medication
The administering of medication is a serious issue and not part of a normal school day or the duties of people who work in schools. The school may be able to assist where there is a serious concern about a child’s wellbeing and medication during school time is necessary. We have a comprehensive medication policy which is available for perusal, or for you to keep if you wish.
No child can be given medication without written permission from the parents and the agreement of the Principal. Parents of students who have been prescribed, for instance, antibiotics, will be encouraged to consult with their medical practitioner to ensure that their child’s medication is given outside of school hours. As a rule cough/cold medication cannot be administered at school.
Parents are required to contact the school to obtain a Medication Policy and discuss dispensing of medication, with the Principal, for any drug prescribed by a medical practitioner, which by its nature needs to be administered during school hours to assist the students with a health or other problem.
Parents and guardians who require school staff to be involved in the administering of medication to their child, will be asked to adhere to the following procedures:
- complete the Medical Request Form
- supply medication in measured single doses. The must be labelled with the child’s name, the dosage to be taken, the time of the dosage and a contact telephone number
- pharmacy bubble packs will be used to facilitate this
- parents and or guardians are to personally deliver their child’s medication to the school secretary
- parents/guardians should notify the school in writing of any changes to the administering of the medication
- a new Medical Request Form will need to be filled out
- parents/guardians are responsible for the collection of any medication from the school secretary that their child no longer requires
Analgesics
Panadol, Disprin, etc. may be dispensed to students by school staff only with written parental permission. In an emergency, phone or fax permission may be sought. Phone permission is not our preference.
Students requiring regular analgesics must provide their own. It must be clearly labelled and left at the school office.
When Students are Sick at School
Children who are obviously unwell, contagious, in need of rest or medication at constant intervals cannot be cared for adequately at school and need to be at home. Parents may be requested to take their children home under these conditions.