Policy No. 26
MEDICAL POLICY
Date of Policy / October 2014Author / L Wilson
Date approved by Governors / 10 December 2014
Review Date / October 2016
A pupil who is ill or has an accident should be brought to the nurse in the medical room, unless he/ she is too badly injured to be moved.
If a child is too sick to remain at the Academy, every effort is made to contact the parents/carer at home or at work to request the child is collected. When it is reasonable to do so an 'out-of-school' form is filled in and the child goes home alone if parents are unavailable.
When a serious accident occurs, the nurse will be sent for and in her absence a first aiders will attend. The nurse or first aider will decide on further intervention ie ambulance.
If an accident occurs while a responsible adult is in charge of a pupil in a teaching situation, when off site or on duty outside it may be necessary, on the same day, to complete an accident report form which is obtained from the Academy nurse, once completed it should be returned to the nurse.
If a staff member is injured also it may be necessary to complete an incident form also. Obtained from the nurse.
Teachers and first aid staff should inform the nurse regarding levels of stock of first aid kits in specialist subject areas on a regular basis.
Nurse should also be informed of all students going off site for trips, activities etc and a first aid kit should be ordered if necessary.
Supporting Pupils With Medical Needs in Academy
1. General
The Governors accept that parents should keep pupils at home when they are acutely unwell. When pupils return to the Academy after a period of illness they are assumed to be:
either fit to return without support of the Academy,
or they are pupils with medical needs.
2. Pupils with Medical Needs
Pupils with medical needs are those pupils who :
either a) have a medical condition that may affect their participation in
Academy activities, e.g. a short term course in medication; i.e.
pupils with temporary medical needs,
or b) have a medical condition that if not managed properly could
limit their access to education, i.e. pupils with medical needs.
These pupils are able to attend the Academy regularly and with support from the Academy can take part in most normal Academy activities. Extra care in supervising some activities is necessary to ensure that these pupils and others are not put at risk. An Individual Health Care Plan is necessary to support pupils with medical needs.
3. Support for Pupils With Medical Needs
Prime responsibility for a child's health is with their parents or guardians who should provide the Academy with information about the child's medical condition in conjunction with the child's GP or paediatrician as appropriate.
The Governors will work with the parents, GP's, paediatricians, Health Authorities and the LEA to ensure that pupils with medical needs and Academy staff have effective support in the Academy.
The Governors accept that there is no legal duty which requires Academy staff to administer medication and that this is a voluntary role.
4. Responsibilities
4.1 The Governors
The Governing Body as the employer accept responsibility for:
1. Implementing through the Health and Safety Policy, procedures for supporting pupils with medical needs, including managing medication as far as it is practicable to do so in the Academy.
2. Ensuring that their insurance arrangements provide full cover for staff acting within the scope of their employment and that staff are indemnified.
3. Ensuring that correct procedures are followed and that accurate records are kept in Academy.
4. Ensuring that willing staff have appropriate training to support pupils with medical needs, arranged with the Health Authority or other health professionals.
4.2 The Headteacher
The Headteacher is responsible for implementing the Governors policy in practice and for developing detailed procedures.
The Headteacher is required to:
1. Make day-to-day decisions about administering medication.
2. Ensure that all parents are aware of the Academy policy and procedures for dealing with medical needs.
3. Ensure that parents do not send to the Academy pupils with infectious diseases.
4. Agree support with parents which the Academy can provide for a pupil with medical needs after taking advice from appropriate agencies.
5. Deal with parents who make a complaint about the action of staff in dealing with pupils with medical needs.
4.3 Teachers and Associate Staff
Pupils, parents and health professionals should provide information for teachers who have pupils with medical needs in their class so that teachers understand the nature of the condition and when and where the pupil may need extra attention. This information is also available to staff on the e portal system. Staff should be aware of the likelihood of an emergency arising and what action to take if one occurs. Temporary cover staff should also be supplied with information if they are replacing the usual member of staff. Training and advice will be provided for teachers and associate staff, when necessary, who may have contact with pupils with medical needs. Teachers should familiarise themselves with all pupils’ medical needs at the start of each term.
4.4 The Academy Nurse
The Academy nurse will draw up Individual Health Care Plans for pupils with medical needs in conjunction with parents, and other health professionals if necessary and advise upon training for Academy staff willing to support pupils with medical needs. All staff will have acces to this. The Individual Health Care Plan will include:
· details of the pupils condition,
· special requirements (dietary needs, mobility needs, preactivity precautions),
· medication and any side effects,
· emergency procedures,
· emergency contacts,
· the role of the Academy.
4.5 Parental Responsibility
Parents have a responsibility to inform the Academy if a pupil is sick or unable to attend. It is important (where possible) to indicate the nature of the illness to enable the nurse to eliminate the risk of infection or disease spreading.
They also have a responsibility to collect their child due to illness if required by the nurse or a designated first aider.
If a pupil is suffering from diarrhoea and vomiting they must not attend the Academy until conditions/ symptoms are clear for 24 hours.
Children with fractured limbs causing reduced mobility or on crutches must see the nurse in the first instance for mobility assessment prior to returning to the Academy.
Parents must inform the Academy nurse of any changes to pupils medical conditions/ health or regular medication.
Parents must ensure if a pupil cannot take part in physical exercise or activity a covering letter with a signature must be sent into school with the child. If this is prolonged a letter from a medical practitioner responsible for care ie GP/ consultant/physiotherapist etc may be required.
5. The Academy Policy for Supporting Pupils with Medical Needs
5.1 The Governors accept responsibility in principle for Academy staff giving or
supervising pupils taking prescribed medication during the Academy day. Medication should only be brought to the Academy when absolutely necessary and this should be given to the Academy nurse with a covering letter and parental signature.
5.2 The Academy will assist pupils with long term or complex medical needs provided that they have:
· sufficient information about the medical condition of the pupil before they either started at the Academy or when the pupil developed the condition.
· the Academy will consider a reduced timetable or staggered integration during or after illness on the recommendation of a medical practitioner responsible for care. This will also need to be in the form of written communication ie letter or email.
5.3 The Academy will not permit pupils to carry and administer their own prescribed medication as a matter of course, except for some asthma inhalers. In recognising that it is good practice to allow pupils who can be trusted to do so to manage their own medication, the Academy is concerned for the safety of other pupils.
Medications will be stored with the Academy nurse in a secure place and clearly labelled.
The Academy nurse will give prescribed medicine to pupils only with the parents consent if it is felt by the parents that the pupil cannot manage their own medication. The nurse will check:
· the pupil’s name
· written instructions provided by parents or doctor
· prescribed dose, time and frequency
· expiry date
· method of administration
· other treatment
· any side effects
5.4 Pupils who refuse to take medication will not be forced to do so but parents will be notified as a matter of urgency and if it is felt applicable the emergency services will be notified.
5.5 Non-prescribed medication will not be issued to pupils at the Academy unless parents authorise this. The Academy nurse or first aider will supervise the pupil taking the medication and may notify parents. Verbal consent can also be sought via telephone if nurse deems this as necessary.
5.6 In the absence of the Academy Nurse, treatment will be given as far as they are able by qualified first - aiders if available, or other staff in an emergency subject to the provisions of this policy.
5.7 Pupils with medical needs will be encouraged to participate in the Academy trips wherever safety permits.
5.8 Any restrictions on a pupils ability to participate in P.E. will be included in their Individual Health Care Plan and/or Risk Assessment.
5.9 The Academy will not dispose of medicines. Parents should collect medicines held at the Academy at the end of each term.
5.10 Parents are responsible for collecting and disposing of date expired medicines. .
5.11 The Academy nurse will only administer intimate or invasive treatment when she feels qualified within appropriate medical guidelines to do so. This will only be carried out with the prior written or verabl permission of the parents or guardians, and or in an emergency. It may also be necessary for another adult to be present throughout the treatment. Staff will do their utmost to protect the dignity of the pupil as far as possible even in an emergency.
6. The Academy Policy for anaphylactic shock and epilepsy
6.1 Epi pens and buccal midazolam must
Be administered by the Academy nurse, relief nurse and trained first aiders only or pupil themselves if confident/competent.
In event of emergency, staff will ascertain if pupil has medication prescribed.
If yes – call for medication and nurse and/or first aider – move pupil to safe place, if appropriate.
If no – follow normal procedure
Storage of epi pens and midazolam found in ERB and nurses office
Photos of pupils also in ERB and nurses office(drug cabinet) for identification purposes
Pupils must not carry epi pen or midazolam around in the Academy
Names of pupils requiring epi pen can be found on staff shared area and eportal – all staff have access to this.
6.2 The nurse and all first aiders are trained in the administration of the epi pen and
buccal midazolam
6.3 Parent’s responsibility:
To inform Academy of changes in condition, medication and to ensure medication is in date.
To provide the Academy with a passport sized photograph if necessary for health and safety purposes with regard to administration.
To transport child to A&E if necessary or collect from school. In some circumstances an ambulance will be called.
6.4 First aiders’ responsibility:
To familiarise self with location of epi pen and students who may require it.
To administer epi pen in nurses absence
To tell nurse/appropriate person when epi pen is administered and give details
To attend to an emergency call whenever possible regarding anaphylaxis
6.5 Pupils responsibility:
Pupil must inform a member of staff/nurse/first aider if they feel signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction
If able, they must go to the ERB or Nurses office, whichever is nearest.
Pupil must be responsible for own dietary requirements and have a good understanding of allergy triggers.
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