School First-Aid Equipment and Stock Check

Locate the current school first-aid needs assessment and use it as the basis for this check.

Is the first-aid needs assessment available for reference during this check?

Record the reference, location or other identifying detail for the first-aid needs assessment used.

Check each first-aid facility, box and kit provided by the school against the facilities and equipment identified by the first-aid needs assessment.

Check that each provided first-aid facility, box and kit can be accessed when needed and that its location is known to the relevant school staff.

Check that the stock in each box or kit is suitable for the activities, hazards and circumstances identified in the first-aid needs assessment.

Only where the first-aid needs assessment identifies low-hazard work activities, check the relevant provision against the suggested contents: general first-aid guidance, individually wrapped sterile plasters, sterile eye pads, individually wrapped triangular bandages, safety pins, large and medium sterile individually wrapped unmedicated wound dressings, and disposable gloves. Treat this as a suggested contents list, not a fixed requirement.

Record any suggested low-hazard item that is absent, unsuitable or not applicable, with the relevant needs-assessment reason.

Inspect items, particularly sterile items, for expiry dates. Identify items at or beyond their marked expiry dates and arrange replacement by the dates given.

Remove expired first-aid items from available stock and arrange for their safe disposal.

For sterile items without expiry dates, seek the manufacturer's advice on storage life and use that advice when deciding whether replacement is required.

For non-sterile items without expiry dates, judge whether each item remains fit for purpose and replace any item that is not fit for purpose.

Check whether tablets or medicines are kept in the first-aid box. They should not ordinarily be kept there. Record and refer any exception, including aspirin used in accordance with accepted first-aid practice for a casualty with a suspected heart attack or emergency administration of specified Schedule 19 prescription-only medication for the purpose of saving life.

Where individuals carry their own prescribed medication, check that arrangements reflect that the first-aider's role is generally limited to helping the individual take their own medication and contacting emergency services as appropriate.

Only where the first-aid needs assessment identifies that the standard kit is insufficient, check that the identified additional materials or equipment are provided, such as foil blankets, cleansing wipes or cutting shears. They may be kept in the kit if there is room or stored separately.

Arrange replenishment for missing, used, expired, damaged or unsuitable items where the first-aid needs assessment indicates that the items are required.

Record each outstanding issue, the affected box, kit or facility, the action required and the person or role responsible for follow-up.

Record any other relevant observations about accessibility, suitability, contents, expiry dates, undated items, medicines, additional equipment, replenishment or disposal.