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Acorn Health and Safety Administering Medicines Training and Consultancy

In recent years’ the number of children attending education settings with a variety of medication needs has increased.  Acorn understands that medication training needs to take into consideration not only the needs of the child but also those of the staff team and others such as the LEA, OFSTED and Healthcare Professionals.

 

Our courses are delivered by Registered Nurses all of whom hold adult teaching qualifications supported by a professional qualification and considerable, hands on practical experience which is reflected in our grounded, pragmatic approach. We deliver a variety of different medication training courses in a variety of settings. These settings can be grouped as education and care.

From 1st October 2017, the Human Medicines (Amendment) Regulations 2017 now allow schools in the UK to keep spare adrenaline auto injectors (AAI’s) for emergency use. Unfortunately, at present, suppliers are struggling to keep up with demands and we have been sharing the NHS guidance updates regarding this as and when they are announced .

This recent change in legislation follows a similar change in October 2014 regarding Asthma and Inhalers and subsequent guidance from the Department of Health allowing the discretionary power to hold an adrenaline auto injector (AAI) to be used for children who are at risk of anaphylaxis.  It applies to all schools, both Primary and Secondary.

This new legislation is likely to increase awareness and knowledge, helping staff to recognise and treat anaphylaxis in schools.

Allergy is the most common chronic disease in Europe. Up to 20% of patients with allergies struggle daily with the fear of a possible asthma attack, anaphylactic shock, or even death from an allergic reaction.

For a parent of a child at risk from anaphylaxis, this represents an important reassurance that their child will have emergency treatment available on the school premises.

If your school have not done so already, should you wish to implement the use of an AAI, in most cases it’s likely that the local medication policy will require updating to ensure it clearly sets out how a child will receive the right medication, at the right time, administered in the right way.

This should include:

  • How and when the AAI should be used
  • How the AAI will be stored and disposed of after use
  • Details of the training and support that will be provided for staff
  • The process by which written parental consent is obtained and recorded in individual health care plans
  • How details of children with allergies are kept and communicated amongst those requiring them

In many cases, this will require only minor changes, however, if in any doubt schools must contact those responsible for the development, review and updating of medication policies.

Schools may also wish to discuss with their community pharmacist the different AAI’s available and what is most appropriate for the age-group and needs of the school.

If you would like any advice on how to implement AAI’s then please get in touch with us on 0117 958 2070. You can also email me. I regularly advise schools on medication policy’s, provide medication training and have first-hand experience of supporting patients with anaphylaxis within a critical care environment.

I also want to highlight a number of topics that I am frequently asked about on courses. The aim is to offer clarity on these topics. Whilst training medication within education and preschool settings I encounter a number of misunderstandings. Some common ones are:

  1. All medicines must be locked away
  2. Only prescribed medicines can be administered
  3. Children can’t carry their own medication

Whilst some of these things are dependent on policy, it is useful to be clear on what current guidance allows.  This helps inform policy decisions and ensures that organisations have a policy that works well for them:

  • Pupils must have access to their medicine when required. They should know where their own medication is kept and who holds the key. Emergency medicines must not be locked away. Medicines such as asthma inhalers and auto-injects such as Epi Pens should not be locked and should be easily available for children when they need them. Exactly where these are stored will be based on risk assessment and factors such as setting size and layout. Other medicine should be stored safely and securely ensuring only those who need to are able to access it. Generally I advise the best way to ensure this is to have a lockable cupboard. Any controlled medicine must be locked away in a non-portable container. A register should be kept of anyone who has access to the controlled drugs cupboard.
  • Providing your organisational policy allows, with prior written parental permission, organisations are able to administer any medicine that it would be detrimental for the child not to have. This would include medicine not prescribed by a doctor. An example when this may be useful would be on a residential trip with medicines such a paracetamol for pain relief or anti-histamine for hay fever.
  • Children are able to carry their own medication and should be encouraged to do so. The decision to allow a child to carry their own medication would be based on risk assessment taking in to account: the child, the medication, and other children. Parental consent should be recorded

To book on the next course visit our website or call us on 0117 958 2070.

Should you have any further questions, or require information, support or training in the use of Administering Medication please do not hesitate to contact us or call 0117 958 2070

Sarah Street, Director and Trainer