Medicines Policy
Administration of Medicines Policy
Introduction:
An Administration of Medication policy has been in existence in the school since 2007. The policy was recently redrafted through a collaborative school process and was ratified by the Board of Management (BoM) in March 2016.
Continue Reading The policy as outlined was put in place to; The school promotes positive home-school contacts, not only in relation to the welfare of children, but in relation to all aspects of school life. This policy is in keeping with the school ethos through the provision of a safe, secure and caring school environment and the furthering of positive home-school links. The aims and objectives of the policy can be summarised as follows; Parents are required to complete a Health/Medication form when enrolling their child/ren in the school. No teacher is obliged to administer medicine or drugs to a pupil and any teacher willing to do so works under the controlled guidelines outlined below. Where there are children with long-term health problems in school, proper and clearly understood arrangements for the administration of medicines must be made with the Board of Management. This is the responsibility of the parents/guardians. It would include measures such as self administration, administration under parental supervision or administration by school staff. Where children are suffering from life threatening conditions, parents/guardians must clearly outline, in writing, what should be done in a particular emergency situation, with particular reference to what may be a risk to the child (Appendix 3). If emergency medication is necessary, arrangements must be made with the Board of Management. A letter of indemnity must be signed by the parents in respect of any liability that may arise regarding the administration of medication. Symptoms of shock can include, wheezing, severe difficulty breathing and gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, cramps, vomiting and diarrhoea. School Doctor ____________________ Contact Number ____________________ In the event of an emergency, teachers should do no more than is necessary and appropriate to relieve extreme distress or prevent further and otherwise irreparable harm. Qualified medical treatment should be secured in emergencies at the earliest opportunity. Where no qualified medical treatment is available, and circumstances warrant immediate medical attention, designated staff members may take a child into Accident and Emergency without delay. Parents will be contacted simultaneously. In addition, parents must ensure that teachers are made aware in writing of any medical condition which their child is suffering from. For example children who are epileptics, diabetics etc. may have a seizure at any time and teachers must be made aware of symptoms in order to ensure that treatment may be given by appropriate persons. Written details are required from the parents/guardians outlining the child’s personal details, name of medication, prescribed dosage, whether the child is capable of self-administration and the circumstances under which the medication is to be given. Parents should also outline clearly proper procedures for children who require medication for life threatening conditions. The school maintains an up to date register of contact details of all parents/guardians including emergency numbers. This is updated in September of each new school year. First Aid Boxes: A full medical kit is taken when children are engaged in out of school activities such as tours, football/hurling games and athletic activities. A first aid box is kept in the staffroom containing anti-septic wipes, anti-septic bandages, sprays, steri-strips, cotton wool, scissors etc. General Recommendations: We recommend that any child who shows signs of illness should be kept at home; requests from parents to keep their children in at lunch break are not encouraged. A child too sick to play with peers should not be in school. Roles and Responsibilities: The BoM has overall responsibility for the implementation and monitoring of the school policy on Administration of Medication. The Principal is the day to day manager of routines contained in the policy with the assistance of all staff members. The Assistant Principal is the Safety Officer and the maintenance and replenishment of First Aid Boxes is the responsibility of the staff. Success Criteria: The effectiveness of the school policy in its present form is measured by the following criteria; Ratification and Review: This policy was ratified by the BoM. It will be reviewed in the event of incidents or on the enrolment of child/children with significant medical conditions. Implementation: The policy has been implemented since 2015. Medical Condition and Administration of Medicines Child’s Name: ________________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________________ Date of Birth: ____________ 1) Name: ____________________________ Phone: ___________________ 2) Name: ____________________________ Phone: ___________________ 3) Name: ____________________________ Phone: ___________________ 4) Name: ____________________________ Phone: ___________________ Child’s Doctor: ____________________________ Phone: ________________ Medical Condition: _________________________________________________________ Prescription Details: _________________________________________________________ Storage details: _________________________________________________________ Dosage required: _________________________________________________________ Is the child to be responsible for taking the prescription him/herself? _________________________________________________________ What Action is required _________________________________________________________ I/We request that the Board of Management authorise the taking of Prescription Medicine during the school day as it is absolutely necessary for the continued well being of my/our child. I/We understand that the school has no facilities for the safe storage of prescription medicines and that the prescribed amounts be brought in daily. I/We understand that we must inform the school/Teacher of any changes of medicine/dose in writing and that we must inform the Teacher each year of the prescription/medical condition. I/We understand that no school personnel have any medical training and we indemnify the Board from any liability that may arise from the administration of the medication. Signed ________________________ Parent/Guardian ________________________ Parent/Guardian Date ________________________
Administration of Medicines in Schools:Indemnity Form Rationale:
Relationship to School Ethos:
Aims of this Policy:
In –School Procedures:
Long Term Health Problems
Life Threatening Condition
Guidelines for the Administration of Medicines
Medicines
The following guidelines are in place with regard to pupils with a Nut Allergy
In the event the pupil comes in contact with peanuts
Indicators of shock include
Emergencies:
Appendix 1
Emergency Contacts
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