Bremer Bay Primary School’s Medication Policy is based on the Education Department’s “The Administration of Medication Policy and Procedures” document.

Staff will assist parents with reasonable requests for the administering of prescribed medication where there is an agreement between staff, parent/guardian/carer, and Principal and where written instructions from the prescribing doctor have been provided by the parent/guardian/carer.

There are forms to be completed before administering of medications or treatments. School staff is responsible for student welfare and need to know if a student has a valid medical reason for carrying prescribed medicine to school.

Where a child has brought medicines/tablets into the school without ratification from parents, teachers will take possession of the medication then contact parents for clarification of the child’s needs.

Students are not allowed to self-administer any form of medication while at school. Students are NOT to keep medication (prescribed or non-prescribed) in their bags.

Administering Over-the-Counter (non-prescribed) medication

School staff will not be involved in administering non-prescribed medication. Drugs such as travel sickness, antihistamines, Ventolin, and cough mixtures can have side effects such as drowsiness, nausea, and may affect student performance. It is also the responsibility of the parent/guardian/carer to notify school staff if a student is taking over-the-counter medicine.

Minor analgesics

Analgesics are non-prescribed pain suppressants (Aspirin, paracetamol) and can have undesirable side effects. Aspirin will not be administered to students without a medical practitioner’s written instruction because of the possibility of Reye’s syndrome developing (a potentially fatal disease of childhood). If school staff is to administer medication to the student the following protocol applies:

1. Parent/guardian/carer must provide written authority for the staff accepting responsibility to administer the prescribed medication.
2. Parent/guardian/carer is responsible for the submission in writing of any requirements of the student for medication, including details from the medical practitioner and of the circumstances for the appropriate use and application of the medication.
3. Parent/guardian/carer must provide the medication in a properly labelled container (name of student, name of medication, doses to be taken). Minimal quantities only should be sent to school unless there is a need for larger amounts to be sent, by agreement with the school. Medication that is not labelled correctly will not be accepted for use.
4. School staff will only administer prescribed medication in accordance with instructions or advice of a medical authority.

A new request/record agreement needs to be made:

• If the dose or medication is altered.
• If the regime is re-started following the expiration of this order.
• At the beginning of each NEW calendar year.
• If the designated teacher alters.