Administration of Medicines in Schools

Increasingly GMB members working in schools are being asked to administer medicines to children. With the rise in Childhood asthma and allergies, reduction in permanent school nurses and with education becoming more inclusive increasingly GMB members working in schools are being asked to administer medicines to children.

Ideally parents or guardians should be encourage to administer medicines themselves by visiting the school or by the head allowing children home at designated intervals, in many circumstances this will be impractical, for example, if the parents of guardians are working. Administration of medicines and supporting pupils with complex health and welfare needs is just one of the areas in which the jobs of school and welfare needs is just one of the areas in which the jobs of school support staff have become more responsible and highly skilled in recent years.

GMB members should only agree to administer medicines if there are appropriate policies, guidelines and training in place and of course, feel totally confident in doing so.

If you require a meeting at your school on this subject or want to be informed about local and national issues please contact  GMB London Schools team on 01582 404842 or email them via schoolsteamlondon@gmb.org.uk.