should the school at least have a policy on administering medication?

[decidedlydizzy]

DD was prescribed antibiotics for a minor skin infection yesterday evening. The condition does not mean she needs to stay off school. ABS need to be taken 4 times a day, spaced apart, 1 hour before food or 2 hours after. DH took meds into school to establish their approach to be be told that they simply don't have a policy. I have now had to take the afternoon off work so I can administer meds (school is too far away to to & fro). We are a bit miffed at the lack of policy- What if I wanted a friend/relative to administer in my place? Fair enough if they don't want to give her the meds but surely they should have a policy so parents can see where they stand and make appropriate choices/arrangements.

Yes they should have a policy on medication. How does the school cope with children who have medical conditions such as asthma or diabetes then?

It is not a statutory requirement to have Medicine Policy, it is up to the HT to decide on how the school deals with this.

I agree! I had a very similar issue with my DD last week. She was prescribed antibiotics for tonsillitis which also had to be taken 4 times a day, spaced apart. No info on school website or the thick policies document I got when she started. Wen I took her to school on Mon I was told they only give meds once a day, not twice. And no explanation as to why, I was just told "some schools don't do it at all" with the clear implication being "be grateful we do once". I would have liked a proper reason, and yes a policy up front would be helpful. I agree it's about knowing what can be done and why, so you can make appropriate arrangements. I certainly didn't want the school to break some rule or something, but equally DD needed the medication.

thanks for this- useful to know that it's not a statutory requirement, but would be useful to parents I think. AFAIK, asthma is self medicated?? Not sure about anything else though, perhaps meds can be administered outside of school hours. My problem stems from meds being needed during school hours. Thanks for all the replies

That's stupid of course they should give medication as required. We will only give medicine if it has a prescription label with
Child's name and instructions for dosage. We have a form for parents to fill in child's name address dob and gp details and the name of medicine and dosage, parents must sign this. If child needs medicine at a certain time parents put that on the any other information section. Takes about 2 minute to fill in before school, medicine is
Left with office staff and note put in register to let teacher know. It's not rocket science

Our policy is to administer prescriptions which have a dose 4 times a day, but not 3. This is because 3 doses can reasonably be spaced out at home, assuming one before school, one at the end of school and one before bed.

Our parents just come up at the appropriate time and medicate their own child. If they send someone else in their place there's no reason the school would object. Obviously you would tell the school what's happening.

Lee - what do you do if the parent is working and has no one else they can send in their place?

At my child's school they simply refuse to administer antibiotics. If teh parents can't get there to do it, tough luck

We do administer but its at the discretion of the school because no member of staff can be expected to do it.
The form required can be downloaded from our website and just handed in at the office with the medication (in correct bottle with prescribed dose etc).
No parent EVER prints it out from the website and most take a great huff when you explain the system to them.
However, imagine if you overdosed their child... the fuss... and out of court settlement.
Schools can't win!

thanks for this. Littlefish, I agree with that policy, it makes sense. I think the lack of policy presents a challenge for working parents. I think that even sending in a representative to administer medicine could potentially present issues, like you say, what if a mistake happens? Surely a simple policy would protect the school, it's staff, pupils and finally parents, whether it's a "no we won't do it" or a "yes, but fill in and sign the form". What happens when a child needs ongoing medication?

OP if a child had an ongoing need for medication it is likely that there would be a specific care plan in place for that child.

ok thanks JWIM, I didn't know that.

Hi decidedlydizzy:

1. It's is a requirement that schools have a medicine policy: link to department for education guidance on this here: www.education.gov.uk/schools/pupilsupport/pastoralcare/b0013771/managing-medicines

2. the policy of 2005 stands and short-term prescribed medication should be administered at school if the child's health requires it and to avoid unnecessary absences - link here: www.education.gov.uk/publications/eOrderingDownload/Managing%20Medicines%20Nov%2007%20version.pdf - Chapter 1 - section 37 - short-term medical needs.

I can't be certain but I have hear a rumour that this may be teaching or support staff working to rule - as they are not technically required to administer medication as part of the terms of employment. I can see their point - but I am aware of one parent who is losing pay to help 4 year old with asthma inhaler because school refuse to operate the inhaler. She's on a formal warning at work, because she has to leave at irregular times. She's absolutely terrified her daughter may have a major attack at school. She told me that if she loses her job she'll just home school.

I think teachers and teaching unions need to seriously think through this policy - because children and parents are suffering for having illnesses that require prescribed medication.

If a child needs long term medication a care plan should be in place - this should include every child with asthma and every child who is allergic to anything. Staff get trained in use of inhalers and in use of epi pens/antihistamine - what use is it ringing for a parent - the child could be dead.

However - those on short term meds - antibiotics, pain relief and the like tend to get short shrift because parents do seem to think that all the teacher/secretary/TA has to do is give their child their medicine - mmmm to 12 different kids with ear infections/tummy bugs/ tonsilitis... different doses at different times etc... our school says that parents can come in to give medication due to the risk of overdose/wrong meds etc...

You can ask the doctor to give a 3 dose/day medication if your child is at school, also a non fridge med too - they will should not keep meds cold in the milk fridge due to the risk of allergic reaction in other children.

Hi ByTheWay1:

DD1 (2 years ago) was seriously ill - missing 10 days of school. When she returned she was on an incredibly strong antibiotic that had to be refrigerated and had to be taken with food.

Yes, it was an inconvenience - but prior to this year, the school happily understood that it was necessary. DD1 duly presented herself a bit before lunch (with reminder from teacher) and took the medicine (which she hated) with a glass of water to wash it down. I picked up bottle each afternoon and dropped it off. Entire school were shocked at how pale and frail she was and were very caring (having her come in out of the rain and read in a classroom or library, letting her sit and rest during PE if too strenuous, etc...)

This year, another pupil had similar condition and parent was told they'd have to come in to give them the medicine.

The issue with the 4 year old is that the school want the DD to administer inhaler herself but she's very small physically and is not up to doing it. Again, in previous years the teacher would have helped. I'm sure eventually she'll be fine - but I'm also shocked that the school's attitude on this.

The medicine policy at our school is really good. They will administer meds both prescribed antibiotics or whatever and calpol (not sure what else non prescribed) as directed by you on a form. The only condition is that calpol is for pain relief, not to control temperatures any child with a temperature is sent home.

The welfare lady deals with the forms and actually measuring out and giving doses.

Rules changed from being able to use the fridge at our school when a child had a serious allergic reaction due to holding the bottle when trying to get the packs of milk out of the fridge at break time. (should never have been kept in a place any child had access to anyhow!! one child's medicine is another child's poison...)

So I guess our school just put the new rules in place because parents kept bringing in AB that needed refrigeration - and there simply is no secure place to keep them.

Our school has over 400 pupils and there is a steady succession of folks in at lunchtime to give meds.... 4 or 5 every day it seems.... sometimes more - not often less..

My sons nursery won't give antibiotics unless the child has been on them for at least 48 hours which i think is fair.

They should have some sort of policy though even if that is just written that they won't give antibiotics at all.

I would have thought a blanket "won't give anything" would be classed as discrimination as it would mean children with things like asthma couldn't attend the school.

I would be interested to know where the schools that do give AB keep them refrigerated... our school had a milk fridge and the staff room fridge - neither of which were locked or in a locked room.

Hi ByTheWay1:

Our school has a medical/ quiet room with it's own refrigerator. There they keep antibiotics. Those with allergies are asked to bring medicines for refrigerator within a strong plastic bag (zip lock type) or tupperware box (and label THIS WAY UP on all sides).

Seems to work.

And for clarity - DD1 was on antibiotics 9 days at home and it continued until bottle was empty (bottle was 500 ml - dose was 10 ml 3 x a day) - so about 1 week or so at school needed. This was a notifiable illness and was not the first case at the school.

For 3 does a day, why could you not give one dose in the morning, one after school and one before bed? No need to give medication at school then.

Little fishMany medicines need to be taken with food so a dose can be required at lunch-time.

Sorry littlefish:

should have clarified - this antibiotic was specifically prescribed with 3 main meals. We were told it was harsh on stomach and absolutely had to be taken with main meals. Because of nature of illness this was the antibiotic Dr. felt he had to prescribe - rather than an ordinary one which could be taken without food. And we did consider the school and ask if she could have one that didn't have to be taken with food.

I've asked DD1 and she said school dinner lady assigned to that class helped with medication at lunch. She just came in a few minutes before her class to do it.

I can understand that if one person is tasked for an entire school - that can be too much. But if it is broken down by Year group or individual classes, it usually isn't a lot of work.

as a postscript - friend with asthma daughter has successfully moved to different school, because of their more parent-friendly medical policy (they will administer medicines during school day including inhalers for asthma - LEA supported move and brokered it directly outside of school - her employer also spoke to LEA regarding disruption of their work/ professional services due to school policy - without revealing too much she's a surgical nurse).

Ah, that makes perfect sense!