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What the school needs to knowWill school staff administer the medication?Who looks after the medicine?Taking medication for the first timeWhat the school needs to know
If a student needs to take medication during school hours the school must be informed. Students cannot take any medication at school without a
medication authority form or letter signed by a doctor. This applies to all medications including:
- prescription drugs
- over the counter medicines, such as pain relief tablets or medicated throat lozenges
- ointments
- alternative therapies
- vitamins and minerals
- food supplements.
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Will school staff administer medication?
Teachers and care workers are usually trained to supervise medication taken orally or inhaled.
They do not normally administer eye or ear drops, or medication taken in other ways. Ask the school about such medications as they require special planning and sometimes the help of a nurse.
Staff will only assist with administering medication that cannot be taken before or after school - eg some medication that needs to be taken three times a day can be administered at breakfast, after school and at the end of the day.
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Who looks after the medicine?
Schools normally require that the medication is securely stored on site, even if it is being self-administered. The medication needs to be stored according to the instructions on the label and where it cannot be accessed by other students. An exception is emergency medication where the student may need immediate access - eg for asthma relief.
If a child suffers allergies or other long-term health issues, arrangements can be made with the school for ongoing storage.
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Taking medication for the first time
Students must not take the first dose of a new medication at school.
Because of the dangers of an allergic reaction the first dose should always be supervised by a parent or health professional.
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