The Independent Grammar School: Durham

MEDICATION POLICY

The aim of this Policy is to ensure that we maintain tight procedures in relation to the storage and administration of medication.  In order to achieve this, the following guidelines must be observed.  In case of doubt, the Executive Principal or Head of School must be informed.

·                     Parents are advised that, where possible and unless advised that it would be detrimental to health, medicines should be prescribed in frequencies that allow a pupil to take them outside of school hours.

·                     If this is not possible, prior to staff members administering any medication, the parents of the pupil must give their written consent.

·                     All medication must be delivered to school by parents and handed in at the reception desk for secure storage.  No medication is allowed to remain with the pupil in school with the exception of inhalers and, in the case of senior school children, epipens.

·                     Only prescribed medication will be accepted in school except in exceptional circumstances.

·                     No pupil will be given any prescribed or non-prescribed medicines without written parental consent except in exceptional circumstances.

·                     No pupil under 16 years of age will be given medication containing aspirin without a doctor’s prescription.

·                     Medicines must be in date, labelled and provided in the original container (except in the case of insulin which may come in a pen or pump) with dosage instructions. Medicines which do not meet these criteria will not be administered.

·                     All medicines will be stored appropriately in a locked cabinet or locked fridge, with the exception of emergency response medication e.g. epipens and inhalers which will be kept in an accessible place for use when required. Any medication left over at the end of a course will be returned to the pupil’s parents.

·                     Written records will be kept of any medication administered to pupils.

·                     Pupils will never be prevented from accessing their medication within the medication delivery guidelines and prescribed dosage and provided written parental consent has been obtained.

·                     General information about medical conditions (diabetes, asthma, epilepsy etc.) is placed in the staff room.

·                     Staff will not force a pupil to take medication. If that pupil refuses to comply with their health procedure, the resulting actions, which will include informing parents, will be clearly recorded on the child’s personal file. If a refusal results in an emergency, the school’s emergency procedure will be followed.

·                     IGS: Durham cannot be held responsible for side effects that occur when medication is given correctly.

The Independent Grammar School: Durham

January 2017

Reviewed: May 2020, May 2023

Next Review due: May 2025