Requirements

Medication (prescribed and non prescribed) must only be given where a student’s parent/carer has provided written permission to the school. Except in the case of an emergency, staff who administer medication to a student must be authorised to do so by the School’s Conductor.

Staff may only administer medication where a student is incapable of self administering the medication. Students may only self-administer medication under staff supervision and with parental/medical approval (see below).

Staff may only administer medication that has been lawfully supplied or prescribed. 

Prescribed medication must be administered in accordance with the instructions of a medical practitioner, dentist, pharmaceutical chemist working out arrangements for supply, administration and storage of the prescribed medication. Students must not carry medications unless there is a written agreement between the school and the school’s parents/carers that this is a planned part of the student’s health plan.

Maintenance of Medical Records

Parents/carers must provide the school with information regarding their child’s medical conditions that may require the administration of medication during school hours.
Parents/carers must ensure the school is regularly updates as to the status of existing medical conditions.

Authorisation for the administration of Medication. 

Parents/carers must provide the school with information regarding their child’s medical conditions that may require the administration of medication during school hours.
Parents/carers must ensure the school is regularly updated as to the status of existing medical conditions.
Parent/carer authorisations, medical professional permissions and student medical records must be maintained in accordance with Living School’s records management requirements.

Staff

Parents/carers must provide written permission to the school authorising school staff to administer medication to their child in accordance with this Guideline.
Parents/carers are required to provide authorisation using the Authorisation for the Administration of Medication Form.

Student

Where a student is able to self-administer medication, schools must require written permission from the student’s medical practitioner, dentist, pharmaceutical chemist, authorised nurse practitioner or optometrist.

Parents/carers are required to provide authorisation using this form.

Supplied Medication

Schools must only accept medication as follows:

• Prescribed: in date and provided in the dispensed, legibly labelled container with the student’s name, medical practitioner (or other medical professionals) name and contact information, medication name and strength, amount given per dose, route and time of administration.
• Non-prescribed: in the original over-the-counter packaging with dispensing instructions appropriate for the student’s age clearly labelled on the outside. The student’s name must also be written on the outside of the container.
• Parent/Carer Responsibilities
  Parents/carers of students who require prescribed medication to be administered during school hours must collaborate with the school in working out arrangements for supply, administration and storage of the prescribed medication.

Student Health Plan

Students with anaphylaxis, asthma, epilepsy or diabetes must have a Health Plan prepared by a medical practitioner. The Plan must specify agreed arrangements for supply, administration and storage of the prescribed medication.

Health Plans must be stored appropriately and updated regularly. It must be communicated to relevant staff in a confidential manner.

Staff must fulfil their agreed roles as documented in a student’s Health Plan and the school must inform parents/carers as soon as possible if concerns regarding a student’s health care arise.

Staff Administration

Where prescription medication is administered by staff:

• a staff member with the authority of the school’s Conductor and with appropriate first aid training must be primarily responsible for administering the Medication
• two staff members must be present when medication is administered, one with primary responsibility and one as an observer
• the staff member with primary responsibility must select the student’s medication and appropriate dosage
• the observer is responsible for confirming the name on the packaging and that the correct medication dosage is to be given to the student 
• the staff member with primary responsibility must record the student’s name, medication and dosage and sign their name (if not recorded electronically).
• the observer must witness the entry confirming the fact that the appropriate medication and dosage have been given to the right student
• staff who agree to administer medication for asthma, anaphylaxis, epilepsy, diabetes or other conditions requiring specific training in medication administration shall be appropriately trained and credentialed.

Student Self Administration

Where it is appropriate and safe to do so students may self-administer medication under staff supervision.

Storage of Medication

In some cases, a student’s immediate access to prescribed medication is very important for the effective management of conditions such as asthma (refer to the Asthma action plan website) and it is appropriate that the student carry the medication on their person.
In other circumstances prescribed medication must be stored safely and access must be restricted to staff members. All medication must be appropriately packaged and clearly show the

name of the medication, student’s name, dosage and frequency of the dosage. Schools must include a current photograph of the student with the stored medication.
Schedule 8 drugs ( Controlled drugs) such as Ritalin (methylphenidate) or narcotic substances (e.g. morphine, oxycodone, pethidine) must be stored apart from other goods in an enclosure (e.g. a cupboard) that is securely locked, and the key must be retained by a person entitled to administer the substance.
All other medications must be securely stored away from Schedule 8 drugs.

Disposal of Medication

Some medication may be especially harmful if taken by someone other than the person for whom the medication was prescribed or supplied. In addition, most medicines deteriorate with time, which can lead to changes in their chemical composition.
Schools must regularly audit stored medication and: remove any that has passed their expiry date, remove any medication that is no longer needed, take all the expired and no-longer needed medicines to a pharmacy for disposal or give it back to the parent/carer.
It is recommended that schools conduct this audit annually – either at the beginning or the end of the school year.

 Emergency Care

Schools should not generally supply or administer medications in an emergency unless the provision of such assistance is part of a student’s Health Plan (refer to the www.allergy.org.au/anaphylaxis).
In any life-threatening situation the welfare of the student is paramount and must be dealt with, with immediate priority, notwithstanding the absence of an appropriate Health Plan.

Workers’ Responsibilities

Workers must:

• have the knowledge and skills to support and manage students who have medical conditions and to fulfil their agreed roles if included in a student’s Health Plan 
• be familiar with the medical records and individual health plans of students in their care, respecting the confidential nature of the information at all times
• work with other staff and professionals, in consultation with parents/carers to ensure the safety of students with specific health needs 

notify the school’s Conductor and inform parents/carers as soon as possible of concerns regarding management of the student’s health care.

Note that staff have the right to refuse to administer routine medication if they feel uncomfortable or unqualified to do so.

In an emergency however, a staff member has an obligation to attempt to administer medication, despite reluctance or lack of experience.