Medications at School

At times school staff are required to give medication to your child during the school day. As you would understand there are clear guidelines from Education Queensland on how to do this safely and accurately. Below I have set out a summary of Education Queensland Guidelines that inform us here at Craigslea State School to ensure your child is given the correct medication and the correct dosage at the prescribed time. For more detailed information please click on the link at the end of this message. 

The administration of medications to students by school staff is only considered when a prescribing health practitioner has determined that it is necessary or when there is no other alternative in relation to the treatment of a specific health need.
Schools require medical authorisation to administer any medication to students (including over-the-counter medications such as paracetamol or alternative medicines).

Responsibilities
The Principal is responsible for the:
• safe administration of medications to students for whom they are prescribed
• safe receipt and storage of students’ medication whilst attending school or school-related activities
• training of staff in the administration of medications for students with specialised health needs.

Before any medication can be administered at school parents/carers will need to complete the appropriate record sheet:

• for each routine/short term medication complete Section 1 of Administration of medication record sheet (routine/short-term)
• for each emergency medication complete Section 1 of Administration of medication record sheet (emergency medication)

Forms can be collected from the office or emailed to you on request.

Medication will only be administered if it is prescribed, supplied to the school in the original container and has a pharmacy label.

If the medication is more complex with specific administration requirements then a letter from the medical practitioner should be provided. 

Parents/carers are to notify the school in writing:

• of any requests and/or guidelines provided by the students' prescribing health practitioner or pharmacist concerning medication administration
• when medication is no longer required to be administered at school
• if changes occur in the dosage requirements for students' routine medication and provide an accompanying letter/action plan from the prescribing health practitioner) when emergency medication changes occur
• in advance if medication is being transported with the student for purposes other than administration at school (respite, shared parental arrangements, before and after school care).
• if the medication is no longer required (e.g. due to change in medication) the parent/carer or adult authorised by the parent is required to visit the school to personally collect unused medication. All medication is to be returned in its original container.

The Education Queensland Policy on administering medication at school is available by clicking on the link below. 

If you have any queries about the process of school staff giving medication to your child at school, please email me on dlgiu0@eq.edu.au

Regards,

Dee Giudice

Head of Inclusion