Dear Families,
A friendly reminder about our Administration of Mediation Policy.
DESCRIPTION OF MEDICATION WHICH IS PERMITTED TO BE ADMINISTERED
Only medication that has been prescribed by a doctor can be administered to students. The medication must be in the pharmacy original container bearing the child’s name, doctor’s instructions and within the expiry date of the product.
DESCRIPTION OF MEDICATION WHICH IS NOT PERMITTED TO BE ADMINISTERED
Panadol, cough syrups, nasal spray, short-term ‘over the counter’ pain and symptom relief that has not been prescribed by a medical doctor.
RESPONSIBILITY
At school the medication will be administered to the student by the Health Care Co-ordinators. SJSH Health Care Co-coordinators are Misty McGuire, Jasmine Zawitkowski, Jo Puccetti and trained First Aid staff. Class teachers may also administer medication if parents/guardians have made alternative arrangements with the principal to administer ongoing medication to a student. On school camps, excursions, and other school activities the medication will be administered by the supervising teacher or Health Care Co-ordinator.
MEDICINES AT SCHOOL
▪ For security and safety reasons all medication is stored in the First Aid Room.
▪ It is the parent/guardian responsibility to ensure the medication has not expired.
▪ Staff will inform parents/guardians when the medication is running low.
▪ Medication must not be stored in school bags, desks, classroom etc. The only exception is where a student’s safety would be at risk if he/she was not carrying their own medication. Special arrangements must be made between the Principal and the parent/guardian if a child is in this category.
▪ The designated Office Staff will ensure all medication administered is recorded with dosage, time and date of administration and signed by the person administering.
▪ It is not possible to give a guarantee that the medication will be given at exactly the prescribed time. However, the School will do its best to administer the medication as close to the prescribed time as possible. The school will not be held responsible if a dose of medication has been missed. In the case of older children, we would expect that where possible they would administer the medication themselves under supervision.
▪ If for some reason a question arises as to whether a dose of the medication should be given in a particular instance, the parent/guardian will be contacted by the Health Care Co-ordinator. If they are not contactable, we reserve the right to contact the medical practitioner or failing that doctor being available a medical practitioner of the School’s choosing for guidance.
▪ Staff are not able to monitor the outcomes following administration of medication. It is not within their area of expertise. Parents/Guardians are requested not to ask staff members to comment on their child’s reaction to medication or ask staff to make judgements about their child’s state of health or about their child’s performance following medication etc.
▪ The Health Care Co-ordinator can only comment on whether or not a child has received the medication in accordance with instructions.
▪ Obviously, if staff become concerned that a child is ill, the parent/guardian will be immediately contacted. Likewise, if a parent/guardian is concerned about their child’s educational progress at school, they should make an appointment to discuss the issue with the child’s teacher.
STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL CONDITIONS/REQUIREMENTS
▪ All Parents/Guardians must complete a Student Medical and Health Record before the commencement of Preschool or School. This must be updated every year or whenever there is a change in the student’s medical condition. Information on children at serious risk’ is displayed in the staffroom.
▪ Some children with special needs would need to be involved in the Special Education enrolment process provided by Special Education support staff. The additional documentation must be updated every year or whenever there is a change in the student’s medical condition.
▪ Parent/guardian should make an appointment with the Principal if their child requires special conditions or requirements.
PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES
1. For short term medication eg antibiotics, parents must send in written instructions and provide staff permission to administer the medication.
2. Long term medication eg asthma puffers, parents/guardians must have the appropriate Care Plan filled in with the doctor’s instructions for treatment.
3. Students who have been sick the previous night or in the morning should be kept home and cared for to prevent further spread of illness.
4. Students on antibiotics must be cared for at home for a minimum of one day before returning to school.Dear Families, a friendly reminder of our Medicines at School Policy
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