SICKNESS & Medication

HEADBUMPS

January 2026:  Going forward you will receive an email (see below as an example of what you will receive). Sending this via email allows for a reduction in paper and printing thereby making it more environmentally friendly, ensures that you will receive all the relevant information about the incident, and reducing the risk of the form being misplaced, getting damaged in a school bag or your child forgetting to tell you what happened.  It does not replace a phone call home if deemed appropriate.  It also gives further information on what you can do if any symptoms persist or get worse after your child has come home from school.  It includes the link to NHS inform Scotland with further information on minor and severe head injuries should you wish to look at this.

Email>>>>>>>

Subject line: Minor Head Bump Today - Parent/Carer Information

Good Afternoon,

You child had a minor head bump at school today, please see below for details and information from NHS Inform about head bumps for your awareness and advice on what you can do if any symptoms persist or get worse once your child has come home

NAME:

DATE AND TIME:

CIRCUMSTANCES:

TREATMENT:

TREATED BY:

Minor head injuries

Minor head injuries are common in people of all ages.

If your child experiences a knock, bump or blow to the head, sit them down,

comfort them and make sure they rest.  You can hold a cold compress to their head –

try a bag of ice or frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel.

The symptoms of a minor head injury are usually mild and short lived.

They may include:

a mild headache

nausea (feeling sick)

mild dizziness

mild blurred vision

If your child's symptoms get significantly worse, take them straight to the accident and

emergency (A&E) department of your nearest hospital or call 999 for an ambulance.

What to look out for in a more serious head injury

• unconsciousness – either brief (concussion) or for a longer period of time

• fits or seizures

• problems with the senses – such as hearing loss or double vision

• repeated vomiting

• blood or clear fluid coming from the ears or nose

• memory loss (amnesia)

If any of these symptoms occur after a head injury, immediately go to your

nearest A&E department or call 999 and ask for an ambulance

https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/injuries/head-and-neck-injuries/minor-head-injury/

Should your child require essential or emergency medication in school, the arrangements can be found here: 

MEDICATION

At school, we have very strict policies and protocols that we must follow from East Lothian Council.  If your child requires medication at school, you must communicate this with a member of staff within the office, and complete all appropriate medication forms to be retained by school.

Please do not leave medication in children’s bags.  It must be given to an adult who will take it to the medical room.

Each time your child is administered their medication, the school will sign the record of administration form.  We can only store and administer medication if it is prescribed, and comes to school in the original packaging, which contains a label from the pharmacy with your child’s name and date of birth.  We are unable to administer medication such as antihistamines without a prescription.

We are also unable to administer the first dose of medication; children must have had their first dose at home, so they can be monitored in case of a potential reaction.

If your child is unwell, we are not allowed to prescribe paracetamol or ibuprofen, we would ask you to consider if your child is well enough to be at school.