Petition to the Honorable Ben Carroll MP, Minister for Education, and the Victorian Government
We, the undersigned, call on the Victorian Government to review and amend the current Department of Health and Department of Education policy regarding the administration of paracetamol in Victorian schools.

Under the current policy, schools cannot administer paracetamol unless it has been specifically prescribed by a treating medical practitioner for an individual student, with the medication supplied by the parent in its original pharmacy-labelled container and accompanied by a Medication Authority Form.

While intended to promote medication safety, this policy often results in children experiencing unnecessary pain while at school.

We believe:

• Every child deserves access to timely and appropriate pain relief.
• Acute pain management is a basic human right and should not be withheld when it can be provided safely.
• Basic pain relief should be considered a minimum standard of care for children attending school.
• Children should not be expected to remain in avoidable pain while waiting for a parent to collect them or transport them to a medical facility.
• Prompt pain relief can help students remain comfortable, engaged in learning, and able to continue their school day where appropriate.
• We know schools can administer paracetamol safely.
• Many Victorian schools employ Registered Nurses who are qualified health professionals trained to:

 

• Assess students experiencing pain.
• Identify when pain may indicate a more serious medical condition.
• Safely administer medications.
• Recognise when urgent medical care or referral is required.
• Document and monitor medication administration.
• Registered Nurses administer medications safely every day in hospitals, medical centres and community health settings. They have the clinical expertise to administer a single therapeutic dose of paracetamol within clear clinical guidelines.

Parents should have the choice.
Schools already collect comprehensive medical information and parental consent for a range of healthcare procedures.

A simple annual consent process could allow parents to choose whether they wish their child to receive paracetamol from a Registered Nurse if clinically appropriate during school hours.

Parents who do not wish to provide consent would simply opt out.

Better pain management improves student wellbeing.
Children commonly experience pain at school due to:

• Headaches
• Migraine
• Menstrual pain
• Dental pain
• Minor injuries
• Fever associated with illness
• Musculoskeletal injuries

For many students, timely pain relief would allow them to remain at school comfortably instead of requiring early collection by a parent.

The current policy may actually increase medication risks.
Because schools cannot provide basic pain relief, students may carry their own paracetamol in school bags or lockers.

This creates unnecessary risks including:

• Incorrect dosing
• Self-medicating without adult supervision
• Sharing medication with friends
• Medication being lost or accessed by younger students
• Administering securely stored school-supplied medication under the supervision of a Registered Nurse is a significantly safer option.

Children with injuries deserve immediate comfort.

Imagine a student who falls in the playground and suffers a suspected broken arm. Despite being assessed by a Registered Nurse, that child may be left in significant pain until a parent arrives and takes them to hospital because current policy prevents administration of simple pain relief.

No child should have to endure unnecessary pain when safe, effective treatment is readily available.

We also support appropriate safeguards.
We are not asking for unrestricted access to medication.

We support:

• Administration only by Registered Nurses (or other authorised health professionals where appropriate).
• Prior written parental consent.
• Standardised clinical assessment before administration.
• Clear documentation of every dose administered.
• Limits on dosage and frequency.
• Communication with parents following administration.
• Clinical guidelines requiring further review when a student repeatedly presents requesting pain relief, ensuring potential underlying health issues are identified rather than repeatedly treating symptoms.

We call on the Victorian Government to:

• Review the current policy restricting the administration of paracetamol in Victorian schools.
• Permit Registered Nurses employed within schools to administer paracetamol following clinical assessment and documented parental consent.
• Develop statewide guidelines to ensure safe, consistent and evidence-based administration of basic pain relief.
• Establish clear review pathways for students who require pain relief on multiple occasions.

Recognise that timely pain management is an essential component of student health, wellbeing and educational participation.

Children should not have to suffer unnecessary pain while at school.

With appropriate safeguards, parental consent and administration by qualified Registered Nurses, Victoria can provide compassionate, safe and evidence-based pain management for students.

We respectfully ask the Victorian Government to modernise this policy and ensure that no child is left in unnecessary pain while at school.