Medication and First Aid

We are committed to the health and wellbeing of all students. An important part of this commitment is our Medical Sickness First Aid Policy. We provide dedicated First Aid Officers and on site student first aid facilities. We do not employ a school nurse.

We acknowledge that parents and guardians have primary responsibility for their child's health care. This responsibility includes the provision of accurate and relevant information to College staff about their child's health care needs.

If a student has recently contracted an illness, is infectious and/or needs rest and recuperation, his or her care generally is the responsibility of the family.

If a student becomes ill or injured at school our First Aid Officers are always available to treat and care for them. We will contact parents if their child is too unwell to carry on and / or we believe it is necessary for them to go home.

Any ongoing care such as dressing changes is the parent's responsibility.

In an emergency, staff will administer emergency first aid and contact an ambulance and family / emergency contacts as required. The College has School Ambulance Membership with the SA Ambulance Service. The terms and conditions of this policy provides cover for payment of accounts for Emergency Ambulance Services, resulting from accident or injury to students whilst involved in school activities.

We would like to make sure that all parents are aware that this cover does NOT provide cover for payment of accounts where an ambulance is called in response to signs and symptoms of a pre-existing medical condition (eg diabetes, asthma, anaphylaxis etc).

Regardless of this fact, if a student presents with signs or symptoms relating to a medical condition, which necessitate an ambulance, our First Aid Officers will not hesitate to call 000. Our priority is to ensure students receive prompt medical attention in a medical emergency.

If your child has a pre-existing medical condition and your family does not already have insurance cover for ambulance transport under an existing policy, we would encourage you to explore and secure ambulance cover.

We encourage parents to administer their child's medication outside of school hours where possible.

Prescription Medication

First Aid Officers can only administer prescription medication when it is accompanied by a Medication Plan for Prescription Medication completed by a doctor.

Over the Counter Medication

Over the counter medication may only be administered to student when it is accompanied by a completed Medication Plan for Over the Counter Medications with a pharmacy label affixed.

These medications may include: eye drops, ear drops, creams, ointments, paracetamol, hay-fever / allergy medications, travel sickness tablets, vitamins and nutritional supplements or other alternative medicines.

• Medication must be provided in the original pharmacist container with the label from the pharmacy. Pharmacists will provide additional containers to keep extra medication at home.
• We can not administer the first dose of any medication.
• For students in Foundation to Year 9, an adult must bring any medication to the front office (along with the appropriate forms), where it will be stored in a locked cupboard. (Medication will only be returned to an adult). Exceptions to this must be specified in the Health Care Plan, Medication Plan or Asthma Care Plan.

• Students in Years 10 to 12 are permitted to self-medicate on the following conditions:
  • the school is notified and provided with a Medication Plan, authorised by a doctor or pharmacist
  • student’s medication is kept secure with no potential for unsafe access
  • only the daily requirement of medication is brought to school
  • it is in the original pharmacy labelled container