This policy is a statement of the principles and procedures regarding first aid and prescribed and non-prescribed medicines for adults at risk at Northern Ballet.
Aims and Objectives
- To ensure that everyone receives appropriate first aid when necessary
- To ensure that everyone has a collective understanding regarding the administering of medicines when they are at Northern Ballet
- To ensure that adults at risk with medical needs receive appropriate care and support
Roles and Responsibilities
The roles and responsibilities of the adult at risk and, when necessary, their carer.
It is their responsibility to:
- Inform Northern Ballet of their medical needs
- Ensure that Northern Ballet has the most recent emergency contact details for them
- They must provide any medication in a container clearly labelled with the following:
- Their name
- Name of medicine
- Dose and frequency of medication (with applicator/measuring spoon)
- Any special storage arrangements
- Collect and dispose of any medications held at Northern Ballet at the end of each term
- Ensure that medicines have NOT passed the expiry date
Participant Information
At the start of each academic year, participants should give the following information about their long-term medical needs, via the programme registration process.
The information must be updated as and when required, and at least annually.
- details of their medical needs
- medication including any side effects
- allergies
- name of GP/Consultants
- specific requirements e.g., dietary needs, pre-activity precautions
- what to do and who to contact in an emergency
- cultural and religious views regarding medical care
Administering Emergency First Aid
If a person requires first aid, a qualified first aider will administer the appropriate treatment in accordance with their training. If deemed necessary, an employee will call 999 for emergency medical response.
If any person wishes to refuse emergency first aid, they should inform the Programme Manager at the beginning of the year, or when starting a programme.
This should be in writing and detail the following:
- name
- class/course attended
- statement to refuse emergency first aid
Records
Each time first aid is given staff will complete the first aid log which records the following:
- name
- date and time of administration
- who administered the first aid and what action was taken
- possible cause of first aid requirement
- recommended next steps
Administering Medication
We expect people to administer medication themselves wherever possible. Prescribed medication will not be administered without prior written permission from the individual, or their carer, where necessary including written medical authority if the medicine needs to be altered (e.g., crushing of tablets). Equally, staff will not give a non-prescribed medicine to a participant. A Medical Permission Form (also available as a Word document) must be completed and signed in all cases.
The relevant Northern Ballet Programme Manager will determine if medication is to be administered on site, and by whom, following consultation with staff. All medicine will normally be administered during breaks and lunchtimes. If, for medical reasons, medicine must be taken during the day, arrangements will be made for the medicine to be administered at other prescribed times. Participants will be told where their medication is kept and who will administer it.
Any staff member giving medicine to a participant, should check on each occasion:
- name of participant
- medical permission form completed
- prescribed dose
- expiry date
Carrying Medicines
Adults may carry their own medicines and hold responsibility for them. If they would like Northern Ballet to hold or store any medicines on their behalf, that is fine and can be arranged with the Programme Manager.
Storage
All medicine, in the care of Northern Ballet, must be stored strictly in accordance with product instructions (paying particular note to temperature) and in the original container in which dispensed. In most instances medication will be kept in an administration office. All medicine will be logged onto the medical file. Class teachers may store participant inhalers which must be labelled with their name. All emergency medicines, such as inhalers and adrenaline pens, must be readily available to the participant. Programme Managers will be responsible for storing EPI-Pens.
Some medicines may need to be refrigerated. They can be kept in a refrigerator containing food but must be in an airtight container and clearly labelled. There must be restricted access to a refrigerator holding medicines. There is a refrigerator located in the Academy of Northern Ballet office for such purposes.
Records
Each time medication is given to a participant, a staff member, will complete the medication log which records the following:
- name of participant
- date and time of administration
- who supervised the administration
- name of medication
- dosage
- reason for medication being administered
- a note of any side effects
- if medicine has been altered for administration (e.g., crushing tablets) and authority for doing so
Refusing medication
If a person refuses to take their medication, no Northern Ballet staff member will force them to do so. The appropriate contact person will be informed as soon as possible. Refusal to take medication will be recorded and dated on the person’s record sheet. Reasons for refusal and any action then taken by the staff member will also be recorded.
Emergency Procedures
The Programme Manager will ensure that all staff are aware of Northern Ballet’s planned emergency procedures in the event of medical needs.
Medical Alert
It is likely that there will be people attending Northern Ballet with a range of medical needs which need to be known by staff members. Details of any medical needs should be updated annually, as a minimum via the programme registration form.
Administering First Aid and Medicine Policy updated June 2022.