####### REFUSAL OR TOO UNWELL TO TAKE MEDICINES

If a child refuses to take medicine as prescribed and as requested by parents, the records (DfE Template C or D or appropriate equivalent) must state ‘REFUSED’ clearly and the parents/carer informed immediately. Children/young people will not be forced to receive medicine if they do not wish to do so.

If a child or young person is ill/injured and therefore unable to receive the agreed prescribed medication, the person designated to supervise the taking of medicine will consult with parents/carers immediately and advise the Headteacher of their actions. If the child vomits or has diarrhoea soon after receiving medication, parents must be contacted so that they can seek further medical advice.

####### SELF MANAGEMENT OF MEDICINES

In some cases it might be appropriate that children self administer medicines, e.g., inhalers, epipens. The school will encourage those with long term medical conditions to take responsibility for administering their own medication but continue to ask staff to supervise so that the appropriate records can be completed for safeguarding purposes.

####### NON PRESCRIPTION ( OVER THE COUNTER) MEDICINES

We do not give non-prescription medicines during school hours. Parents are, of course, welcome to come in and administer non-prescription medicines, for example Calpol, as they see fit. In exceptional circumstances, for example a return to school following an operation or longer medical absence please make an appointment with the Headteacher to discuss how we can support the medical needs of your child on return to school.

####### OFF-SITE ACTIVITIES/SCHOOL TRIPS

All arrangements for medicines, including the storage of medicines, Individual Healthcare Plans, and Risk Management programmes will apply for all off-site activities or school trips. A member of staff will be designated to ensure there are suitable off-site arrangements for storage, and recording of the medicines when assessing any risks associated for the trip, particularly for those children and young people with long term or complex health conditions. All plans and risk assessments will be discussed with parents/carers in preparation for the activity in advance of the departure day and agreed with the Headteacher (and Governors). When pupils are going away from school for residential visit the parents can request that ‘calpol’ be given and parents can provide sealed sachets of medicine. This needs to be agreed by the Headteacher at least two days in advance of the departure and support a known ongoing medical need, for example ‘earache’

All off-site activities will be evaluated in terms of proximity and accessibility to emergency services and any implications for those with short or long term medical conditions before receiving approval to go ahead from the Headteacher/Governors.

####### EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

Care is taken to ensure that all children and young people are safe. The school has 2 ‘First Aid at Work’ qualified first aiders, 12 ‘Emergency First Aid at Work’ qualified first aiders, 2 ‘Paediatric First Aid’ qualified first aiders and 12 Emergency First-Aid trained staff

Children with life threatening medical conditions or that require close monitoring/supervision may have Individual Healthcare Plans developed by school staff and Health professionals that provide contact details for emergency situations, e.g., anaphylaxis, diabetes, or epilepsy.

All cases deemed ‘complex’ or ‘serious’ medical conditions have emergency contact details held in the school office.

Asthma can also be life threatening; Milton on Stour CE VA Primary School will follow the “Guidance on the use of emergency salbutamol inhalers in schools” issued by the Department of Health (September 2014).

Children who are ‘at risk’ due to their medical condition hold a Grab Pack (collated information to pass to a doctor or ambulance crew in an emergency) that will accompany them at all times. The purpose of the pack is to provide emergency services with up to date information such as: diagnosis of principle conditions, key personnel and medical contacts, medication taken, up to date records of medicines that have been administered together with other relevant medical information and an agreement with parents/carers about what to do in an emergency.