Departmental medication policy
The following is Education Queensland’s policy on the issuing of medication being given to students by school staff.
Should medication prescribed by the student’s medical practitioner be required to be administered while the student is at school or involved in school-approved activities, a parent/legal guardian must in the first instance, make a written request to the principal of the school.
Where a teacher or other adult person on the school staff has been authorised by the principal to administer medication to students, the instructions provided must be written on the medication container by the pharmacist at the medical practitioner’s direction. The teacher or other authorised person must not accept the instructions solely from the parent/legal guardian. The instructions on the medication container need to indicate specific times at when medication is to be administered, as well as quantity of medication to be administered.
Medication shall be kept in a secure place in the office (with the exception of inhalers for asthma). The student may be responsible for his/her inhaler upon written request from parent/legal guardian.
Non-prescribed oral medication (such as analgesics and over-the-counter medications) will not be administered by school staff.
Instructions to vary dosages on ongoing medication must be supported by a letter from the doctor.
School policy on administering medication
Parents/carers must make a written request to the principal if they wish for their child to be administered prescription and non-prescribed medication during the school day or on camps, excursions and other school approved activities. Consent forms are available at the school office.
Medication must be bought to the school by the student’s parents or caregivers in the original labelled container which has the child’s name, times to be administered and the dosage.
Non-prescribed oral medication, e.g. Asthma inhalers, paracetamol, cough mixture etc. will NOT be administered without written instructions i.e. child’s name, dosage etc. from a pharmacist. The medication must be in the original labelled container from the chemist.
Expectations of parents
It is reasonable to expect parents/caregivers to undertake the following in relation to the administration of medication and/or management of health conditions.
Request the school in writing to administer prescribed medication or to assist in the management of a health condition.
Notify the school in writing of any requests and/or guidelines from medical practitioners including potential side effects or adverse reactions.
Provide the medication in the original labelled container to the nominated staff member.
Ensure the medication is not out of date and has an original pharmacy label with the students name, dosage and time to be taken.
Advise the school in writing and collect the medication when it is no longer required at school.