Every year, thousands of people — both adults and children — are harmed or killed by taking medication that wasn’t prescribed to them. Whether by accident, curiosity, or misunderstanding, taking someone else’s medicine can be deadly.  It’s a growing problem in homes across the country, and it’s one we all have the power to prevent. 

The Risks of Taking Someone Else’s Medication

Prescription medications are carefully tailored to an individual’s health needs, age, weight, and medical history.  What works for one person may be dangerous — even fatal — for another.  

Taking someone else’s medicine can cause:

• Severe allergic reactions

• Dangerous interactions with other medications

• Overdose and poisoning

• Organ failure

• Death

This isn’t just a concern for children.  Adults are increasingly affected, often misusing medications for pain, anxiety, or sleep without understanding the consequences. 

Keep Medications Safe & Secure

Help prevent accidents and misuse by following these safety tips: 

• Store medications out of reach and out of sight, ideally in a locked cabinet or box.

• Never leave tablets or medicines loose in purses, drawers, or countertops.

• Keep medication in original packaging with clear labels and instructions.

• Dispose of unused or expired medication safely — many pharmacies offer free disposal services.

• Talk openly with your family — especially teens and elderly relatives — about the dangers of sharing or taking medication that isn’t theirs.

What To Do If Someone Takes the Wrong Medication

If you suspect that someone has taken medication not prescribed to them:

1. Stay calm but act quickly.

2. Call 999 for an ambulance or go to your nearest A&E department if the person is unconscious, having trouble breathing, or acting erratically.

3. Contact NHS 111 or visit  www.111.nhs.uk for guidance if the person is conscious and stable.

4. Give all available details — the medication taken, how much, and when.

5. Don’t wait for symptoms to show — some effects can be delayed but still dangerous. 

Pharmacies 

Your local pharmacist can help with safe medication storage, disposal, and advice. 

Medication Safety Starts With You 

You can save a life just by locking the medicine cabinet, talking to your children, or helping a friend get support.  

The message is simple: If it’s not prescribed for you, don’t take it.  Ever.  Stay safe.  Stay informed.  Share the message. 

Source: NHS via https://lincolnshire.icb.nhs.uk/our-campaigns/medication-safety/

We are offering School Nurse sessions for parents at school.  The next session will be on Thursday 29th January 2026.  Please contact Umbreen in the school office to book an appointment, we have three spaces left for this month.

The Nurse can offer support with:

• Sleep support

• Toileting and continence support

• Behaviour

• Public Health Needs (diet, dental, puberty and hygiene etc)

• School readiness

Please note the School Nurse cannot prescribe or diagnose any conditions.

نرس کا سکول کا دورہ- 3 جگہیں باقی ہیں۔

ہم 29 جنوری 2026 کو اسکول میں والدین کے لیے اسکول نرس کے سیشن پیش کر رہے ہیں۔ برائے مہربانی ملاقات کا وقت بک کرنے کے لیے اسکول کے دفتر سے رابطہ کریں۔

نرس اس کے ساتھ مدد کی پیشکش کر سکتی ہے:

نیند کی حمایت

بیت الخلاء اور کنٹیننس سپورٹ

رویہ

صحت عامہ کی ضروریات (خوراک، دانتوں، بلوغت اور حفظان صحت وغیرہ)

اسکول کی تیاری

براہ کرم نوٹ کریں کہ اسکول کی نرس کسی بھی حالت کی تجویز یا تشخیص نہیں کر سکتی۔

Our attendance this week has been 91.39%, and our attendance for this year is 94.53%  Our attendance target for every child is 96%.

Children in Years 1 to 6 who are in school on time every day in a week will be given 5 dojos to celebrate and recognise their attendance. We are also recognising the best class each week with an in-school Shine Charter competition, where classes can win £50 to spend on resources once they have been the highest-attending class 5 times. Please support the school by ensuring that you child is here every day, ready to learn.

We have made a small change to our PE kit requirements.  Children in Year 1 and Year 2 will now come to school wearing their PE kit alongside their school jumper and coat on their PE day.  Only children in Reception class will change into their PE kit in school.

ٹرپل پی گروپ اردو میں

ٹرپل پی گروپ کو فروغ دینے میں دلچسپی رکھنے والے والدین یا دیکھ بھال کرنے والوں کے لیے تیار کیا گیا ہے۔

ان کے بچے کی نشوونما اور صلاحیت۔ یہ انتظام کرنے میں مدد کرنے کے لئے تیار کیا گیا ہے اور

والدین اور دیکھ بھال کرنے والوں کے لیے حکمت عملی تیار کریں جنہیں اپنے بچے کے بارے میں تشویش ہے۔

رویے یا رویے کے مسائل کو روکنے کے لئے چاہتے ہیں.

پروگرام جانتا ہے کہ تمام والدین کی مختلف ضروریات ہوتی ہیں اور یہ آپ کے مطابق ڈیزائن کیا گیا ہے۔

اور آپ کا خاندان، آپ کو اپنے بچے کے ساتھ بہتر تعلقات استوار کرنے کے قابل بناتا ہے۔

آغاز کی تاریخ:

ہر منگل 13 جنوری سے 7 ہفتوں تک۔

1pm - 3pm

مقام: پینڈل پرائمری اکیڈمی

مزید معلومات کے لیے برائے مہربانی اسکول کے دفتر میں امبرین یا جیما سے رابطہ کریں۔

Triple P Group has been developed for parents or caregivers interested in promoting their child’s development and potential. It has been developed to help manage and develop strategies for parents and caregivers who have concerns about their child’s behaviour or wanting to prevent behavioural problems.

The programme knows all parents have different needs and is designed to suit you and your family, enabling you to build a better relationship with your child.

Start Date:

Every Tuesday starting 13th January for 7 weeks.

Time: 1pm – 3pm

Venue: Pendle Primary Academy

For more information please contact Umbreen or Gemma at the school office.  Triple P courses are available in English - if you would like to find out more, again please contact Umbreen or Gemma at the school office.

The deadline for completing applications to start school in September 2026 has now passed. If you know of any families who have missed the deadline but would like a place at Pendle Primary Academy, please tell them to come to the school office and we will support them in making a late application.