Health conditions and medication at school

It is for anyone considering, planning or carrying out a move to Spain with a child who has a health condition.

Start with "Chronic illness at school and what a Spanish school will do". It sets out what staff may do about medication and emergency care, and what your family must provide.

Then go to the page that fits your situation:

• "Allergies, epilepsy and diabetes: emergency plans at school" for conditions that can become urgent.
• "Taking part in PE, trips, camps and exams with a health condition" for safe participation in school activities.
• "Hospital classrooms, home tuition and long absences (atención educativa domiciliaria)" for stays in hospital or long illness at home.

Children's medical care, canteen diets and learning-need support are covered elsewhere.

Key rules

• Renewal: The report and authorisation are renewed at the start of each school year for continuing treatment, and whenever the treatment, dose or condition changes.
• Emergencies: In an emergency all staff must call 112, give basic first aid and follow any emergency plan, even without a medication authorisation on file.
• Giving medication: School staff are not legally obliged to give medication, so they may do so only voluntarily, with a doctor's report and written parental authorisation.
• Family supplies: You provide the medication in its original packaging, labelled with your child's full name, in date, and replace it when it runs out or expires.
• 112: Staff call 112 in any emergency, whatever your region and even with no authorisation on file.
• Rescue medication: Which rescue medication staff may give depends on your region's protocol.

Documents you may need

• A medical report or prescription from your child's treating doctor — Chronic illness at school and what a Spanish school will do
• The same report also lists known side effects and what to do about them — Chronic illness at school and what a Spanish school will do
• A written authorisation signed by a parent or legal guardian — Chronic illness at school and what a Spanish school will do
• Your region's official form — Chronic illness at school and what a Spanish school will do
• A one-page medication and emergency plan — Allergies, epilepsy and diabetes: emergency plans at school
• A medical certificate from the allergist or paediatrician stating the allergy — Allergies, epilepsy and diabetes: emergency plans at school
• The school's special-diet request form for the canteen — Allergies, epilepsy and diabetes: emergency plans at school
• A medical certificate or appointment slip from the doctor or hospital — Hospital classrooms, home tuition and long absences (atención educativa domiciliaria)
• A written justification from you to the class tutor — Hospital classrooms, home tuition and long absences (atención educativa domiciliaria)
• A medical report from the treating doctor or hospital — Hospital classrooms, home tuition and long absences (atención educativa domiciliaria)

Health conditions and medication at school: questions that cross several articles

Can trained school staff give adrenaline or glucagon in an emergency?

Yes, in many regions trained staff who volunteer may give adrenaline from an auto-injector or glucagon in an emergency, usually with a doctor's report and written parental consent. Insulin support is usually limited to reminders and supervision. Read "Allergies, epilepsy and diabetes: emergency plans at school" for how to set this up, and ask your region's education department for its current protocol.

Can a teacher refuse to give my child medication but still have to help in an emergency?

Yes, a teacher can refuse routine medication because it is voluntary, but every staff member must still call 112 and give basic first aid in an emergency. Giving medicines is not part of a teacher's duties. Read "Chronic illness at school and what a Spanish school will do" for what staff may do, and "Allergies, epilepsy and diabetes: emergency plans at school" for emergency plans.

Who trains school staff on my child's condition?

Training usually comes from your child's health centre paediatric team or nurse, the hospital specialist unit, a school nurse where one exists, or a patient association such as a diabetes or epilepsy group. Your family or the school head asks, and the session is arranged with the school. Staff taking part is generally voluntary, so see "Taking part in PE, trips, camps and exams with a health condition" for what staff need to know on outings.

Where do I find my region's school medication protocol?

Look on the website of your region's education department (consejería de educación) for the current document. Many regions have a joint education and health protocol, but titles and details differ, and some cover only specific conditions. Read "Chronic illness at school and what a Spanish school will do" to see what to ask the school once you have it.

Rules differ by region, so check the current protocol on the education department website of your community.