The Administration of Medicines
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 nor
ancillary staff to undertake personally the administration of medicines.
The Board of Management
requests parents to ensure that teachers are made aware in writing of any
medical condition suffered by any children in their class.
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Non- prescriptive
medicines will neither be stored nor administered to pupils in school.
Prescribed medicines will not be administered in school without the
written consent of parents and the specific authorisation of the Board of
Management.
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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.
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The medicine should be
self-administered if possible, under the supervision of an authorised adult
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A written
record of the date and time of administration must be kept.
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School
personnel should not administer medication without the specific
authorisation of the Board.
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School personnel cannot be required to
administer medicine or drugs to a pupil.
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In
an emergency situation, school personnel will do whatever is necessary with
regard to the administration of medicine
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In emergency
situations, qualified medical
assistance will be secured at the earliest opportunity
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Parents of a pupil
requiring regular medication during
school hours should write to the Board to authorise a member of staff to
administer the medication in school.
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Written details are required from the
parent/guardian to the Board of Management giving the name of the child, name
and dose of medication; whether the child should be responsible for his/her own
medication; the circumstances in
which medication is to be given by
the teacher and consent for it to be
given; when the parent is to
be notified and where s/he can be contacted. It is the parents’ responsibility
to check each morning whether
or not the authorised teacher (or
special needs assistant) is in school unless an alternative arrangement is made
locally.
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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.
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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.
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Where possible the family doctor
should arrange for the administration of prescribed
medicines outside of school hours.
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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.
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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.
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Consent form is appended to this policy
document
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.
Sanctioned at Board of Management
meeting on 15 November 2010.
__________________
Thomas
Shields (Chairperson)
Administration of Medicines
Consent Form
Name of Child:
Class:
Parents’ Name:
Phone No.
Ailment:
Medicines:
Dosage:
The medicine should be administered at:
(time) by child himself
yes/no or by an adult
in the school yes/no
I indemnify the Board of Management and authorised members
of staff in respect of any liability that may arise regarding the administration
of the prescribed medicines in the school.
The Board is obliged to inform its insurers of the above
arrangement.
Signed:
(Parent/guardian)
(Parent/guardian)
Date:
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