Updated ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION POLICY

                                                      for

Scoil Mhuire na nGrαst, Bιal Guala. Sept. 2010

 

This policy is formulated in accordance with guidelines issued by the Primary Schools’ Managerial Bodies and the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation.

 

Introduction

 

While the Board of Management has a duty to safeguard the health and safety of pupils when they are engaged in authorised school activities, this does not imply a duty upon teachers to personally undertake the administration of medication. They may, at their own discretion, agree to administer certain medicines or procedures. This will be arranged on a case-by-case basis.  It is school policy that children who are acutely ill should not attend school until the illness has receded.  In the event of a child becoming acutely ill during the course of the school day, parents or emergency contacts will be notified to bring the child home to recuperate. 

In line with the school ethos, children with chronic illnesses are encouraged to engage fully in school activities.  Where possible, the family doctor should be asked to prescribe treatments that can be taken outside school hours.  Administration of medication at school should be kept to a minimum.

 

The Board of Management requests parents to ensure that staff members are made aware in writing of any medical condition suffered by their child. This information should be provided at enrolment or at the development of any medical conditions at a later date.

 

The Aims of this policy are:

 

Medication in this policy refers to medicines, ointments, tablets, sprays, inhalers and insulin.

 

Policy Content:

 

  1. Procedure to be followed by parents who require the administration of medication for their children or who want their child to self administer insulin or any such drug.

 

·         The parent/guardian should write to the Board of Management requesting the Board to authorise a staff member to administer the medication or to monitor self-administration of the medication.

·         Parents are required to provide written instructions of the procedure to be followed in the administration and storing of the medication. (see Appendix 1)

·         Parents are responsible for ensuring that the medication is delivered to the school and handed over to a responsible adult and for ensuring that an adequate supply is available.

·         Parents are further required to indemnify the Board and authorised members of staff, in respect of any liability that may arise regarding the administration of prescribed medicines in school. The Board will inform the school’s insurers accordingly.

·         Changes in prescribed medication (or dosage) should be notified immediately to the school with clear written instructions of the procedure to be followed in storing and administering the new medication.

·         Where children are suffering from life threatening conditions, parents should outline clearly in writing, what should and what should not be done in a particular emergency situation, with particular reference to what may be a risk to the child.

·         Parents are required to provide a telephone number where they may be contacted in the event of an emergency arising.

 

  1. Procedures to be followed by the Board of Management

 

 

  1. Responsibilities of Staff Members

 

·         No staff member can be required to administer medication to a pupil.

·         Any staff member who is willing to administer medicines should do so under strictly controlled guidelines, in the belief that the administration is safe.

·         Written instructions on the administration of the medication must be provided.

·         Medication must not be administered without the specific authorisation of the Board of Management.

·         In administering medication/monitoring self-administration to pupils, staff members will exercise the standard of care of a reasonable and prudent parent.

·         A written record of the date and time of administration will be kept. (c/f Appendix 2)

·         In emergency situations, staff should do no more than is obviously 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.

·         Parents should be contacted should any questions or emergencies arise.

 

 

Appendices……..enclosed

Appendix 1- Form 1, Request to B O M form for parents.

Appendix 1- BOM Letter to Parents (if any of our Staff volunteer to administer/monitor)

Appendix 1: Form 2, BOM letter to doctor (if needed)

Appendix 2: Medication Chart Record (to be used by staff who volunteer  to  monitor self-administration of medicine)

 

 

 

Ratified by Board of Management on: October 18th. 2010

                                                                                    Date

 

 

 

Signed __________________________________________

                         Chairperson, Board of Management

 

 

 

 

                                             

Appendix 1 - Form 1                         

Administration of Medication to Students

 

Request to Board of Management of Belgooly Central School.

 

 

1.      I / We, the parents / guardians of ……………………………………………………….. ask the Board of Management of Belgooly Central  School  to allow a member of staff to give medication to my child, …………………………………………………………………………

2.      I enclose a letter from Dr. ………………………………………………. Stating:

(a)   Why the medication is needed

(b)   Name of medication

(c)    Time the medication should be administered

(d)   Dosage to be administered

3.      Should there be any change in medication, I/we will write to the Board of Management before this change takes place to notify them of same

4.      I /We understand that the school’s insurers will be notified of this arrangement

5.      I/We indemnify the Board of Management in respect of any liability that may arise regarding the administration of the medication.

 

 

 

 

Signed: ……………………………………………   Signed: ………………………………………

            Parent / Guardian                                            Parent / Guardian

 

            Date:……………………………………….  Date:………………………………………….

 

 


Appendix 1 - Letter to Parents

 

Scoil Mhuire na nGrαst,                                                          Priomh-Oide :Ιamon Σ Ceallaigh

Bιal Guala,                                                                             Fσn                : 0214770712

Co. Corcaigh.                                                                          Fax                 : 0214770712

 

Belgooly Central School,                                                                   

Co. Cork.

email :   belgoolyns@gmail.com

 

 

Dear Parents / Guardians,

As the number of students receiving medication during school hours has increased, we have had to revise our policy and protocol for the administration of medication.

As you are aware, we do not have any trained medical personnel on staff. Some members of our staff have kindly volunteered to administer necessary medication to some students , with the approval of the Board of Management. We need to have full details of how this should be done.

Please have your doctor complete the attached Form 1 to give us full details of the medication prescribed for your child. It is also necessary to complete Form 2 seeking permission to administer the medication in school.

It is important to note that:

 

·         Only medication to be inhaled or administered orally will be administered in school.

·         Any changes in instructions should be notified in writing to the school.

·         Parents are asked to ensure the safe delivery of medication to school staff directly. Please do not ask children to carry or deliver medication without discussing this with the principal.

·         It is the responsibility of the parents to ensure the continuing supply of medication.

·         Any medicines remaining at the end of the school year will be returned to parents.

If you have any queries in relation to this matter, please do not hesitate to contact us.

 

Yours Sincerely

 

_______________________________

Principal.

 



Appendix 1 -   Form 2                                  

Administration of Medication to Students

 

Scoil Mhuire na nGrαst,                                                                      Priomh-Oide :Ιamon Σ Ceallaigh

Bιal Guala,                                                                                         Fσn                : 0214770712

Co. Corcaigh.                                                                                      Fax                 : 0214770712

 

Belgooly Central School,                                                                   

Co. Cork.

email :   belgoolyns@gmail.com

 

 

Dear Doctor,

The Board of Management of Belgooly Central School  requests that important information, detailed below, relating to medication which is administered to ___________________________ during school hours, be furnished to the school.

The parents /guardians of ……………………………………………………… have been asked to return this information to the school and to advise us of any changes to this regime in the future.

 

 

Name of Student:………………………………………………………………………………………

Name of Medication: …………………………………………………………………………………

Why is this medication required: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Time medication should be administered: …………………………………………………………….

Dosage to be administered: ……………………………………………………………………………

Additional Information (eg. to be taken after meals, etc)…………………………………………………………………….

Signed: …………………………………………………………………………  Date: ……………

 

 

Many thanks for your co-operation in this matter.

 

Yours Sincerely,

 

 

__________________________

Principal

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix 2 -                                      Medication Chart Record

 

(to be used where a staff member volunteers to monitor self –administration  of medicine.)

 

 Medication Chart for ___________________________________      School Year:_____________

 

Date

Drug

Dosage

Time

Signed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signed:…………………………………………………………………………..