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Infections & Medicines
Administering of medicines
There are two main sets of circumstances in which requests may be made to the Headteacher to deal
with the administration of medicines to pupils at school. These are:
1)
Cases of chronic illness or long-term complaints, such as asthma, diabetes or epilepsy.
2)
Cases where children are recovering from a short term illness, but are well enough to return to
school. Eg antibiotics
Please refer to the school’s policy regarding the administering of medicines. Wherever possible,
prescribed medicines should be administered by parents out of school time. Where this is not possible
and the Headteacher agrees to accept responsibility for the administering of medicines to children, the
following safeguards should be followed:
1)
A Doctor’s note should be received, preferably delivered by the parent, to the effect that it is
necessary for the child to take medicine during school hours. The note should give clear instructions
concerning the required dosage.
2)
The medicine MUST be brought into school by the parent or guardian, NOT the child.
3)
Medicines must be clearly labelled with the CONTENTS, OWNER’S NAME AND DOSAGE. If at all
possible, a single dose should be sent in a clearly labelled bottle.
4)
A form, available from the school office, must be signed by the parents/guardian giving permission
for the medicine to be administered and giving clear instructions regarding dosage.
Please Note
If your child shows symptoms of illness please do not send him/her to school as infections spread
rapidly. A little discretion can prevent wholesale illness.
Under no circumstance should children be allowed to bring paracetamol or aspirin into school. Your
co-operation with this most important part of our school organisation is most essential. If your child is
receiving medical treatment and is taking medicine then he/she is probably better off at home.
However, your doctor may agree to a return to school whilst antibiotics are being taken. Please keep
us informed about the health of your child. If your child is absent through illness we ask that you
inform the school office before the start of the morning session, explaining the circumstances. If no
phone call is received then we will make a phone call to ensure that your child is not supposed to be
attending school on that day. On returning to school each child should bring a short letter explaining
the absence.
Injuries
Children injured at school are treated according to the severity of the injury. If the injury is serious then
parents are informed and arrangements made for the child to be taken to hospital.