Administration of Medicines Policy
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 medicines.
The Board of Management requests parents to ensure that teachers be made aware in writing of any medical condition suffered by any children in their class. This information should be clearly recorded on the Enrolment/Admissions Acceptance Form which parents/guardians complete and return to the school when they enroll their child.
In the first instance, the Board of Management has decided that medicines will only be administered in emergency situations.
Where possible the family doctor should arrange for the administration of prescribed medicines outside of school hours.
The medicine should be self-administered if possible, under the supervision of an authorised adult. If the child cannot self-administer, it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to ensure that the correct dosage is provided.
Non- prescriptive medicines will neither be stored nor administered to pupils in school.
Procedures to be Followed in Preparation for Emergency Situations.
Prescribed medicines will not be administered in school without the written consent of parents and the specific authorisation of the Board of Management. The parents/guardians of the pupil concerned should write to the Board of Management requesting the Board to authorize a member of the teaching staff to administer the medicine.
The Board of Management, having considered the matter, may authorize a teacher to administer medication to a pupil. If the teacher is so authorized s/he should be properly instructed by the Board of Management. In the event of the authorized teacher being absent, the parent/guardian should not leave the school without speaking with the Principal/Deputy Principal so as to make alternate arrangements.
A teacher should not administer medication without the specific authorization of the Board.
In administering medication to pupils, teachers should exercise the standard of care expected from a reasonable and prudent parent.
The medicine should not be kept by the pupil but in a locked cupboard out of reach of pupils. Certain medicines, such as inhalers used by asthmatic children, must be readily accessible at all times of the school day.
A written record of the date and time of administration must be kept.
No teacher can be required to administer medicine or drugs to a pupil.
In emergency situations qualified medical assistance will be secured at the earliest opportunity.
If, having sought doctor’s advice, it is not possible to rearrange the taking of medicine outside school hours, the parents/guardians should write to the Board to authorize a member of staff to administer the medication in school.
Written details are required from the parent/guardian to the Board of Management giving the following information:
Child’s full name and address
The name of the medication to be administered
The dosage of the medication to be administered
The exact dosage and time of administration
If the child is responsible for his/her own medication
Or
Circumstances in which medication is to be given by a teacher
All contact phone numbers for parent/guardian
Declaration of consent for medication to be given
Signature of parent/guardian
It is the parent’s responsibility to check each morning whether or not the authorized teacher is in school.
Where children are suffering from life threatening conditions, parents should outline clearly in writing, what can and can’t be done in a particular emergency situation, with particular reference to what may be a risk to the child.
Parents are further required to indemnify the Board of Management and authorised members of staff in respect of any liability that may arise regarding the administration of prescribed medicines in school. The Board of Management will inform the school’s insurers accordingly.
Where permission has been given by the Board of Management for the administration of medicine the smallest possible dose should be brought to school, preferably by the parent, with clear written instructions for administration, giving the name of the pupil.
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.
Parents should ensure that these procedures are clearly understood before submitting any request to the Board of Management
This policy will be reviewed as and when necessary.