{"id":4459,"date":"2026-07-08T09:29:16","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T09:29:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mft.nhs.uk\/rmch\/?page_id=4459"},"modified":"2026-07-08T09:29:16","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T09:29:16","slug":"pill-school","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/mft.nhs.uk\/rmch\/patients-visitors\/information-for-parents-carers\/pill-school\/","title":{"rendered":"Pill School"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator border_width=&#8221;7&#8243; css=&#8221;&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2>Benefits of Pill School<\/h2>\n<p>Learning to swallow tablets and capsules can be helpful:[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;]<div class=\"c-dos-donts\">\n    <h3 class=\"c-dos-donts__title\"><\/h3>\n\t<ul class=\"c-dos-donts__dos\">\n\n      \t\t\t<li>Less sugar<\/li>\n      \t\t\t<li>Easier to carry and store<\/li>\n      \t\t\t<li>Easier to get from pharmacies<\/li>\n      \t\t\t<li>Less spills and mess<\/li>\n      \t\t\t<li>Last longer<\/li>\n      \t\t\t<li>Better for the planet<\/li>\n      \t<\/ul>\n\t<ul class=\"c-dos-donts__donts\">\n\n      \t<\/ul>\t\n\t\n\t\n<\/div>\n\n  [\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;4461&#8243; img_size=&#8221;large&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_separator border_width=&#8221;7&#8243; css=&#8221;&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Signing up for Pill School<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Please ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist to sign up for Pill School. They can refer your child. You will receive a text when the session is booked.[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator border_width=&#8221;7&#8243; css=&#8221;&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2>Finding Pill School<\/h2>\n<p>The sessions take place in the children\u2019s outpatient department. We try to book sessions on the same day as other visits. If your child is in hospital, we run sessions on wards. Your nurse can arrange this for you.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]<figure class=\"c-content__image\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mft.nhs.uk\/app\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/07\/Pill-school-1.png\" alt=\"Group of four people stood in hospital. Three are wearing yellow Pill School Team tshirts.\" \/>\n    <figcaption class=\"c-content__image-caption\"><\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n[vc_separator border_width=&#8221;7&#8243; css=&#8221;&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text]<section>\n                            <div class=\"c-expanded-content\">\n                            <div class=\"c-accordion close-it\">\n                                     <div class=\"c-accordion__item scrollup\" id=\"expand_what_happens_if_my_child_can_swallow_tablets_after_pill_school\">\n                         <a href=\"#expand_what_happens_if_my_child_can_swallow_tablets_after_pill_school\" class=\"c-accordion__title\">\n                            <div class=\"c-accordion__arrow\">\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mft.nhs.uk\/app\/themes\/mft\/dist\/images\/accordion-triangle.svg\" class=\"svg\" alt=\"Arrow\">\n                            <\/div>\n                            <h3 class=\"c-accordion__title-heading\">What happens if my child can swallow tablets after Pill School?<\/h3>\n                         <\/a>\n\n                          <div class=\"c-accordion__content\">\n                            Your child\u2019s medicine can now be switched to tablets or capsules. This might not happen right away. Some medicines may stay the same if needed.\n                          <\/div>\n\n                    <\/div> <div class=\"c-accordion__item scrollup\" id=\"expand_what_happens_if_my_child_cannot_swallow_tablets_after_pill_school\">\n                         <a href=\"#expand_what_happens_if_my_child_cannot_swallow_tablets_after_pill_school\" class=\"c-accordion__title\">\n                            <div class=\"c-accordion__arrow\">\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mft.nhs.uk\/app\/themes\/mft\/dist\/images\/accordion-triangle.svg\" class=\"svg\" alt=\"Arrow\">\n                            <\/div>\n                            <h3 class=\"c-accordion__title-heading\">What happens if my child cannot swallow tablets after Pill School?<\/h3>\n                         <\/a>\n\n                          <div class=\"c-accordion__content\">\n                            That is OK. Many children need more than one session. Your child can come back again until they feel happy and confident. The Pill School team will book your child another session.\n                          <\/div>\n\n                    <\/div> <div class=\"c-accordion__item scrollup\" id=\"expand_who_will_change_my_childs_medicine\">\n                         <a href=\"#expand_who_will_change_my_childs_medicine\" class=\"c-accordion__title\">\n                            <div class=\"c-accordion__arrow\">\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mft.nhs.uk\/app\/themes\/mft\/dist\/images\/accordion-triangle.svg\" class=\"svg\" alt=\"Arrow\">\n                            <\/div>\n                            <h3 class=\"c-accordion__title-heading\">Who will change my child\u2019s medicine?<\/h3>\n                         <\/a>\n\n                          <div class=\"c-accordion__content\">\n                            Your child\u2019s medicine will be changed by their doctor or a different team member.\n                          <\/div>\n\n                    <\/div> <div class=\"c-accordion__item scrollup\" id=\"expand_when_will_my_childs_medicine_be_changed\">\n                         <a href=\"#expand_when_will_my_childs_medicine_be_changed\" class=\"c-accordion__title\">\n                            <div class=\"c-accordion__arrow\">\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mft.nhs.uk\/app\/themes\/mft\/dist\/images\/accordion-triangle.svg\" class=\"svg\" alt=\"Arrow\">\n                            <\/div>\n                            <h3 class=\"c-accordion__title-heading\">When will my child\u2019s medicine be changed?<\/h3>\n                         <\/a>\n\n                          <div class=\"c-accordion__content\">\n                            This should happen at the next clinic visit or review. If you are not sure, please ask your team.\n                          <\/div>\n\n                    <\/div> <div class=\"c-accordion__item scrollup\" id=\"expand_what_do_i_do_with_any_leftover_liquid_medicine\">\n                         <a href=\"#expand_what_do_i_do_with_any_leftover_liquid_medicine\" class=\"c-accordion__title\">\n                            <div class=\"c-accordion__arrow\">\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mft.nhs.uk\/app\/themes\/mft\/dist\/images\/accordion-triangle.svg\" class=\"svg\" alt=\"Arrow\">\n                            <\/div>\n                            <h3 class=\"c-accordion__title-heading\">What do I do with any leftover liquid medicine?<\/h3>\n                         <\/a>\n\n                          <div class=\"c-accordion__content\">\n                            If you have any leftover medicine, you can take it to a local pharmacy. They will throw it away safely. Only do this once you have the new tablets, or if your team tell you to.\n                          <\/div>\n\n                    <\/div> <div class=\"c-accordion__item scrollup\" id=\"expand_will_my_childs_gp_be_told_that_my_child_can_now_swallow_tablets\">\n                         <a href=\"#expand_will_my_childs_gp_be_told_that_my_child_can_now_swallow_tablets\" class=\"c-accordion__title\">\n                            <div class=\"c-accordion__arrow\">\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mft.nhs.uk\/app\/themes\/mft\/dist\/images\/accordion-triangle.svg\" class=\"svg\" alt=\"Arrow\">\n                            <\/div>\n                            <h3 class=\"c-accordion__title-heading\">Will my child\u2019s GP be told that my child can now swallow tablets?<\/h3>\n                         <\/a>\n\n                          <div class=\"c-accordion__content\">\n                            Yes, your GP will be told. You can ask your GP to prescribe tablets if possible.\n                          <\/div>\n\n                    <\/div> <div class=\"c-accordion__item scrollup\" id=\"expand_my_child_has_been_to_pill_school_but_is_still_struggling_with_tablets_at_home\">\n                         <a href=\"#expand_my_child_has_been_to_pill_school_but_is_still_struggling_with_tablets_at_home\" class=\"c-accordion__title\">\n                            <div class=\"c-accordion__arrow\">\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mft.nhs.uk\/app\/themes\/mft\/dist\/images\/accordion-triangle.svg\" class=\"svg\" alt=\"Arrow\">\n                            <\/div>\n                            <h3 class=\"c-accordion__title-heading\">My child has been to Pill School but is still struggling with tablets at home?<\/h3>\n                         <\/a>\n\n                          <div class=\"c-accordion__content\">\n                            Please get back in touch with your child\u2019s doctor or nurse. They can arrange another appointment at the Pill School. Your child\u2019s medicine will not be switched to tablets before they are ready. If needed they can switch tablets back to liquids.\n                          <\/div>\n\n                    <\/div> <div class=\"c-accordion__item scrollup\" id=\"expand_i_need_to_change_or_cancel_my_childs_appointment_who_can_i_contact\">\n                         <a href=\"#expand_i_need_to_change_or_cancel_my_childs_appointment_who_can_i_contact\" class=\"c-accordion__title\">\n                            <div class=\"c-accordion__arrow\">\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mft.nhs.uk\/app\/themes\/mft\/dist\/images\/accordion-triangle.svg\" class=\"svg\" alt=\"Arrow\">\n                            <\/div>\n                            <h3 class=\"c-accordion__title-heading\">I need to change or cancel my child's appointment, who can I contact?<\/h3>\n                         <\/a>\n\n                          <div class=\"c-accordion__content\">\n                            Please phone the booking team on 01617019501 option 4.\n                          <\/div>\n\n                    <\/div> <div class=\"c-accordion__item scrollup\" id=\"expand_is_there_a_contact_number_for_the_pill_school_team\">\n                         <a href=\"#expand_is_there_a_contact_number_for_the_pill_school_team\" class=\"c-accordion__title\">\n                            <div class=\"c-accordion__arrow\">\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mft.nhs.uk\/app\/themes\/mft\/dist\/images\/accordion-triangle.svg\" class=\"svg\" alt=\"Arrow\">\n                            <\/div>\n                            <h3 class=\"c-accordion__title-heading\">Is there a contact number for the Pill School team?<\/h3>\n                         <\/a>\n\n                          <div class=\"c-accordion__content\">\n                            There is no direct number for the Pill School team. Please contact the booking team for appointment changes. Contact your doctor or nurse for any other questions.\n                          <\/div>\n\n                    <\/div> <div class=\"c-accordion__item scrollup\" id=\"expand_can_i_cut_my_childs_tablet_at_home_to_help_them_swallow_it\">\n                         <a href=\"#expand_can_i_cut_my_childs_tablet_at_home_to_help_them_swallow_it\" class=\"c-accordion__title\">\n                            <div class=\"c-accordion__arrow\">\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mft.nhs.uk\/app\/themes\/mft\/dist\/images\/accordion-triangle.svg\" class=\"svg\" alt=\"Arrow\">\n                            <\/div>\n                            <h3 class=\"c-accordion__title-heading\">Can I cut my child\u2019s tablet at home to help them swallow it?<\/h3>\n                         <\/a>\n\n                          <div class=\"c-accordion__content\">\n                            Sometimes you can, but not always. Please ask your child\u2019s doctor or pharmacist first.\n                          <\/div>\n\n                    <\/div>\n                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/section>[vc_separator border_width=&#8221;7&#8243; css=&#8221;&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator border_width=&#8221;7&#8243; css=&#8221;&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;] Benefits of Pill School Learning to swallow tablets and capsules can be helpful:[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;4461&#8243; img_size=&#8221;large&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_separator border_width=&#8221;7&#8243; css=&#8221;&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;] Signing up for Pill School Please ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist to sign up for Pill School. They can refer your child. You will receive a text when the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":92,"featured_media":0,"parent":181,"menu_order":5,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-4459","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.1.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Pill School - Royal Manchester Children&#039;s Hospital<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/mft.nhs.uk\/rmch\/patients-visitors\/information-for-parents-carers\/pill-school\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Pill School - Royal Manchester Children&#039;s Hospital\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"[vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator border_width=&#8221;7&#8243; css=&#8221;&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;] Benefits of Pill School Learning to swallow tablets and capsules can be helpful:[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;4461&#8243; img_size=&#8221;large&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_separator border_width=&#8221;7&#8243; css=&#8221;&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;] Signing up for Pill School Please ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist to sign up for Pill School. 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