Dear Parents,
Re: Medications for Students at school
Parents often need to have medications administered to students during the school day. The College has implemented a policy to ensure the safety of students and the responsible management of medication administration. The “rules” under the policy are included below. Please read them carefully and contact the school First Aid Officer if you have any questions.
We have attached a Medication Authorisation form for your use. Further forms are available from the College office.
Yours in Christ’s Service,
Mr Wing Leong
Principal
Rules re Medications for Students at School
1. Sick Students Attending School: Children who are unwell should not attend school. The College does not have the capacity to provide “hospital” care for sick students.
2. First Aid Officer: The First Aid Officer (Nurse) is responsible for administering medications to children.
3. Prescribed Medications: All parent requests for the First Aid Officer to administer prescribed medications to their child must be in writing on Medication Authorisation form. Please fill out all of the required details.
4. Non-Prescribed Medication: Non-prescribed oral medications (e.g.: headache tablets) will not be administered by College staff unless special request is made by parents/carers. (See #6 below).
5. “As needed” Requests: If a parent/carer requests that medication should be administered by the College ‘as needed’, the First Aid Officer will contact the parent/carer for further written clarification.
6. Containers: All students’ medications must be in the original containers and must be labelled. The First Aid Officer will check the quantity of tablets and will securely store the container.
7. Verbal Requests from Students: All verbal requests for children to be administered prescribed medications [or medications approved by parents/carers (e.g. analgesics, nasal sprays)] whilst at school must be directed to the First Aid Officer, who will seek the advice of the Principal and may be directed to seek a meeting or discussion with the parent/carer to confirm details of their request and to outline College staff responsibilities.
8. Asthma Inhalers: Secondary students may carry their own asthma reliever (blue) inhaler at school. The inhaler must be clearly labelled with the student’s name. Staff are permitted to administer the reliever (blue) inhaler to the student as needed and at their discretion. Parents or guardians are encouraged to provide an up-to-date Asthma Action Plan to guide staff in managing the student’s asthma. Staff administering the inhaler will have received appropriate training in asthma management.
At our school, primary students are not permitted to carry their own asthma reliever (blue) inhalers due to difficulties in managing their use independently and the risk of other students who may have allergies to Ventolin. Therefore, all asthma puffers for primary students are securely stored in the first aid room. Additionally, general asthma reliever inhalers are available in specified areas for staff to use when necessary. Trained staff will assist students in accessing and using their inhalers promptly to ensure effective asthma management and the safety of all students.
The decision about whether a student can carry their own reliever medication will be made in consultation with the student, their parents/carers, and the student’s medical practitioner.
9. Medications relating to Injections or other Specialist Medical Procedures: Some medications (e.g., Injections, Rectal Valium, etc) will require special skills which we would not normally expect our First Aid Officer or teachers to possess. Administration of such specialist procedures by school staff will only be permitted if they are in accordance with a management plan agreed to by parents and the School Principal. Before agreeing to such a management plan, the Principal may require appropriate training for the First Aid Officer or other staff involved.
10. Classroom Teacher Information: Classroom teachers will be informed by the First Aid Officer of prescribed medications for students in their charge, and classroom teachers will release students at prescribed times so that they may visit the school office and receive their medications from the First Aid Officer.
11. Medications Register: The First Aid Officer will keep all completed Medication Request Forms and details relating to students, their prescribed medication, dosage quantities and times of administration on SEQTA in the individual student’s health record.
12. *Cross-checking: It is recognised that in many school settings medication is administered using a system of two staff members checking that medication is correctly administered. This is an appropriate added safety measure and is seen as good practice. Lighthouse College has the policy of cross checking for all medication administration.
** Route = Method of administration (e.g. Orally; topically; or inhalation.)
13. Camps & Excursions: Students involved in school camps or excursions will be discreetly administered prescribed medications by the ‘Teacher in Charge’ in a manner consistent with the above procedures and the official medications register.
14. Yr 7 – 12 Students with their own medication: We recognize that older students may not either need or want help with the administration of medications. The following rules will apply to older students:
· Students in years 7 – 12 may administer their own medications provided that a Medication Authorisation Form has been signed by their parent/guardian and submitted to the College First Aid Officer via Student or Parent Reception. If students have any question regarding their medication or require assistance, they should approach Student Reception.
· Students will only be permitted to bring prescribed (in the student’s name) or parent-approved non-prescription medications. If other medications are found in a student’s possession, they will be confiscated, and parents will be contacted.
· Overdosing on medications or taking someone else’s medication is potentially dangerous, so students should only bring enough supplies of medication for one day’s consumption. In the case of emergency medication (e.g., analgesics for period pain, cough lollies) only an amount needed for one day’s emergency should be carried.
· Students are not permitted to give medications to other students.