Pupils who are feeling unwell must report to the school office. No pupil is allowed to go home without first reporting to the school office.

Parents must let the office know when a pupil is taking medication at school.

The office cannot give medication without parental approval.

Mrs Anderson, Mrs Howieson, Ms Robertson and Mrs. McGarva are trained in first-aid.

Mary Carryer, Public health Nurse/School provides an advisory/support service to all young people and staff in the school. She runs a weekly lunchtime drop-in service on a Wednesday (any changes are highlighted in the daily bulletin). This is a confidential service. Pupils will not be given prescriptions but may be given information or advice on a wide variety of topics including sexual health and contraception.

Susan McLeod, Locality Mental Health Practitoner, provides a service in school 1 day a week. This service may include 1-1 pupil support, consultation and staff training.

First Aid Room and Disabled Toilet

The First Aid room is situated in the Administration corridor, next to the school office. The Medical and Therapy rooms are in The Support for Learning corridor. Disabled toilets are available in each wing and on every floor.

Medical Care

Mary Carryer also runs the vaccination sessions in school. These include Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination offered to all S2 girls and Tetanus, Diptheria and Polio (DT/ivP) booster offered to all S3 pupils.

Administration of Medication in School

It is considered good health care practice to encourage pupils to manage their own medication as early as possible and this is especially so with medication for asthma and diabetes. However, like all other schools in the Borders, Earlston High School follows the policy and guidance for the administration of medication which has been set up by the Health & Safety Section of Scottish Borders Council in conjunction with the Education Department.

Parents are reminded that there is no legal or contractual duty on school staff to administer medication and supervise the pupils taking it. However, a Headteacher can agree to take on this responsibility on a voluntary basis and, with the assistance of the first aiders in the school, this has been agreed.

Medication can be described in three categories:

I. Non-Prescribed (any medication not requiring a Doctor’s or Dentist’s prescription): there can be no administration of any non-prescribed medication. (This includes paracetamol.)

II. Prescribed (any medication requiring a Doctor’s or Dentist’s prescription): when a pupil is in receipt of prescribed medication requiring administration during the course of the school day and where the school is asked to administer the medication, this can be done but only if the parent/guardian completes the necessary form authorising the school to do this. This form is called the MED P form. Prescribed medication is normally given for short-term acute and/or recurring conditions; for example: infections, acute asthma, migraine, dysmenorrhoea)

Migraine and Dysmenorrhoea (period pains): Since schools are no longer permitted to administer paracetamol, it is necessary to have a letter from a pupil’s Doctor confirming that migraine/dysmenorrhoea are recurring conditions so that paracetamol can be given under the prescribed medication procedures.

Any parent/guardian who wishes the school to administer prescribed medication is asked to contact the school office. The school will then arrange to send a copy of the form and notes of guidance for completion.

III. Complex: medication required for pupils with specific medical needs which can place them more at risk such as anaphylaxis, severe forms of epilepsy or diabetes. The school may need to take additional steps to safeguard the health and safety of such pupils. Any parent/guardian who wishes the school to administer complex medication is asked to contact the Rector or the school office.

The school retains a copy of the Scottish Borders Council Education Department Policy and Guidance for Administration of Medication which any parent is welcome to read.