At Rolleston School, we value the health (hauora) of our staff and students. We ensure student medication is kept securely and taken appropriately.

Information about student health conditions is noted in our student management system. Staff have access to this information as appropriate and are familiar with the medical needs of students they have regular contact with.

We observe the following guidelines when storing medicines.

• Medication held by the school is stored securely in a locked cabinet in the administration office. Medication is refrigerated as required.
• Medication must be supplied in its original container/packaging labelled with the name of the student and the dose required. Any variation in dose must be notified in writing.
• Medication must be delivered to school by parents/caregivers, not by students.

Parents are asked to administer student medication outside school hours when possible. If a student requires medication during school hours, we only administer prescription medication to students whose parents/caregivers have completed a medicine authority form. Forms are stored appropriately and health information is kept private. Medication is administered with due care and attention to the instructions. We carefully monitor some medication in particular (e.g. mood/behaviour-altering drugs) so parents/caregivers can be assured it is being taken as prescribed.

• All medication held by the school is administered through the school office.
• Staff with authority to administer medication on behalf of parents/caregivers keep appropriate records and store medication safely.
• To ensure the safe management of medication:
  • all medication given to students is recorded on Hero
  • the record shows the name of the student, the dose given, the time and date given, the person administering, and any other action taken.
• If a staff member requires school-supplied pain relief, it is only given by someone who is medically trained to do so, otherwise, the staff member self-administers the medicine.