FIRST AID AND MEDICINES POLICY
FIRST AID AND MEDICINES POLICY
First Aid and Medicines Policy: August 2016
Reviewed August 2017
Reviewed August 2018
Reviewed August 2019
Next review September 2020
FIRST AID AND MEDICINES POLICY
REVIEW PROCEDURES
DISTRIBUTION OF COPIES
All staff with have a copy of the document via dropbox.
The Policy Document will be accessible to parents if requested or deemed
necessary
STATEMENT OF INTENT
SCHOOL NAME Hebden Bridge School
The Board of Directors and Headteacher at HBS believe that ensuring the health and welfare of staff, pupils and visitors is essential to the success of the school.
We are committed to:
Providing adequate provision for first aid for pupils, staff and visitors.
Ensuring that pupils with medical needs are fully supported at school.
Procedures for administering medicines and providing first aid are in place and
are reviewed regularly.
We will ensure all staff (including supply staff) are aware of this policy and that
sufficient trained staff are available to implement the policy and deliver against all
individual healthcare plans, including in contingency and emergency situations.
We will also make sure that the School is appropriately insured and that staff are aware that they are insured to support pupils in this way.
In the event of illness, a staff member will accompany the pupil to the school
office/medical room. In order to manage their medical condition effectively, the
School will not prevent pupils from eating, drinking or taking breaks whenever
they need to.
The school also has a Control of Infections Policy which may also be relevant and
staff should be aware of.
Arrangements
The First Aid Team
The first aiders in school who are able to administer medicines are:
Anil Sarna
First Aid Boxes
The first aid posts are located:
Staff office
Birchcliffe school entrance
Medication
Pupils’ medication is stored in:
Staff office (locked cabinet, key kept in office)
First Aid
In the case of a pupil accident, the procedures are as follows:
The member of staff on duty calls for a first aider; or if the child can walk,
takes him/her to a first aid post and calls for a first aider.
The first aider administers first aid and records in our treatment book.
If the child has had a bump on the head, they must be given a “bump on
the head” note.
Full details of the accident are recorded in our accident book
If the child has to be taken to hospital or the injury is `work’ related then
the accident is reported to the Governing Body.
If the incident is reportable under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases
& Dangerous Occurrences Regulations1995), then as the employer the
Governing Body will arrange for this to be done.
School Insurance Arrangements
AON’s Public, Products & Employer’s liability.
Insured through Hiscox. This covers the school for the administration of prescribed drugs as
instructed by the students personal GP/Healthcare professional.
School Visits
In the case of a residential visit, the residential first aider will administer FirstAid. Reports will be completed in accordance with procedures at the Residential Centre. In the case of day visits a trained First Aider will carry a travel kit in case of need.
Administering Medicines in School
Prescribed medicines may be administered in school (by a staff member appropriately trained by a healthcare professional) where it is deemed essential.
Most prescribed medicines can be taken outside of normal school hours.
Wherever possible, the pupil will administer their own medicine, under the supervision of a member of staff. In cases where this is not possible, the staff member will administer the medicine.
If a child refuses to take their medication, staff will accept their decision and inform the parents accordingly. In all cases, we must have written parental permission outlining the type of medicine, dosage and the time the medicine needs to be given. These forms are available in the school office.
Staff will ensure that records are kept of any medication given.
Non-prescribed medicines may not be taken in school.
Storage/Disposal of Medicines
Wherever possible, children will be allowed to carry their own medicines/ relevant devices or will be able to access their medicines in the School office for self-medication,quickly and easily. Pupils’ medicine will not be locked away out of the pupil’s access; this is especially important on school trips. It is the responsibility of the School to return medicines that are no longer required, to the parent for safe disposal.
Asthma inhalers will be held by the school for emergency use, as per the
Department of Health’s protocol.
Accidents/Illnesses requiring Hospital Treatment
If a child has an incident, which requires urgent or non-urgent hospital treatment,the school will be responsible for calling an ambulance in order for the child to receive treatment. When an ambulance has been arranged, a staff member will stay with the pupil until the parent arrives, or accompany a child taken to hospital by ambulance if required.
Parents will then be informed and arrangements made regarding where they should meet their child. It is vital therefore, that parents provide the school with up-to-date contact names and telephone numbers.
Pupils with Special Medical Needs – Individual Healthcare Plans
Some pupils have medical conditions that, if not properly managed, could limit their access to education.
These children may be:
Epileptic
Asthmatic
Have severe allergies, which may result in anaphylactic shock
Diabetic
Such pupils are regarded as having medical needs. Most children with medical needs are able to attend school regularly and, with support from the school, can take part in most school activities, unless evidence from a clinician/GP states that this is not possible.
The School will consider what reasonable adjustments they might make to enable children with medical needs to participate fully and safely on school visits. A risk assessment will be used to take account of any steps needed to ensure that pupils with medical conditions are included.
The School will not send pupils with medical needs home frequently or create unnecessary barriers to pupils participating in any aspect of school life. However, school staff may need to take extra care in supervising some activities to make sure that these pupils, and others, are not put at risk.
An individual health care plan can help schools to identify the necessary safety measures to support pupils with medical needs and ensure that they are not put at risk. The School appreciates that pupils with the same medical condition do not necessarily require the same treatment.
Parents/guardians have prime responsibility for their child’s health and should provide schools with information about their child’s medical condition. Parents, and the pupil if they are mature enough, should give details in conjunction with their child’s GP and Paediatrician. The school nurse may also provide additional background information and practical training for school staff.
Procedure that will be followed when the School is first notified of a pupil’smedical condition. The parent to complete and sign Medical record forms and return these to school. Medication that is to be administered at school has to be brought in by a responsible adult and must be in original packaging with instructions of times and dosage to be given.
All medication will be recorded in the medication file and signed for on receipt. Medication will be kept in a locked medication cabinet and pupil will be made aware who is responsible for the access to the cabinet.Any medication that is surplus must be sent home to parent/guardian or carer atthe end of every term.
This will be in place in time for the start of the relevant school term for a newpupil starting at the School or no longer than two weeks after a new diagnosis or in the case of a new pupil moving to the School mid-term.
Useful Contacts
Allergy UK
Allergy Help Line: (01322) 619864
Website: www.allergyfoundation.com
The Anaphylaxis Campaign
Helpline: (01252) 542029
Website: www.anaphylaxis.org.uk and www.allergyinschools.co.uk
Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus
Tel: (01733) 555988 (9am to 5pm)
Website: www.asbah.org
Asthma UK (formerly the National Asthma Campaign)
Adviceline: 08457 01 02 03 (Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm)
Website: www.asthma.org.uk
Council for Disabled Children
Tel: (020) 7843 1900
Website: www.ncb.org.uk/cdc
Contact a Family
Helpline: 0808 808 3555
Website: www.cafamily.org.uk
Cystic Fibrosis Trust
Tel: (020) 8464 7211 (Out of hours: (020) 8464 0623)
Website: www.cftrust.org.uk
Diabetes UK
Careline: 0845 1202960 (Weekdays 9am to 5pm)
Website: www.diabetes.org.uk
Department for Education and Skills
Tel: 0870 000 2288
Website: www.dfes.gov.uk
Department of Health
Tel: (020) 7210 4850
Website: www.dh.gov.uk
Disability Rights Commission (DRC)
DRC helpline: 08457 622633
Textphone: 08457 622 644
Fax: 08457 778878
Website: www.drc-gb.org
Epilepsy Action
Freephone Helpline: 0808 800 5050 (Monday – Thursday 9am to 4.30pm, Friday 9am to
4pm)
Website: www.epilepsy.org.uk
Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
HSE Infoline: 08701 545500 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm)
Website: www.hse.gov.uk
Health Education Trust
Tel: (01789) 773915
Website: www.healthedtrust.com
Hyperactive Children’s Support Group
Tel: (01243) 551313
Website: www.hacsg.org.uk
MENCAP
Telephone: (020) 7454 0454
Website: www.mencap.org.uk
National Eczema Society
Helpline: 0870 241 3604 (Mon-Fri 8am to 8pm)
Website: www.eczema.org
National Society for Epilepsy
Helpline: (01494) 601400 (Mon-Fri 10am to 4pm)
Website: www.epilepsynse.org.uk
Psoriasis Association
Tel: 0845 676 0076 (Mon-Thurs 9.15am to 4.45pm Fri 9.15am to 16.15pm)
Website: www.psoriasis-association.org.uk/