Medication Policy

KILBRIDE NATIONAL SCHOOL

Ní neart go cur le chéile

Administration of Medication Policy

Introduction

An Administration of Medication policy has been in existence in the school since 2007. The policy was redrafted through a collaborative school process in 2009 and has since been reviewed and ratified by the Board of Management (BOM) annually.

Rationale

The policy as outlined was put in place to:

1. Safeguard school staffs that are willing to administer medication.
2. Ensure the strictest guidelines and controls are in place and that clear instructions are available to staff.
3. Protect against possible litigation.

Relationship to School Ethos

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.

Aims of this Policy

The aims and objectives of the policy can be summarised as follows;

• Minimise health risks to children and staff on the school premises.
• Fulfil the duty of the BOM in relation to Health and Safety requirements.
• Provide a framework within which medicines may be administered in cases of emergency or in instances where regularised administration has been agreed with parents/guardians.

In –School Procedures

Parents are required to complete a Health and Safety 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.

• Prescribed medicines will only be administered after parents of the pupil concerned have written to the BOM requesting the Board to authorise a member of the teaching staff to do so.  Under no circumstance will non-prescribed medicines be either stored or administered in the school.  The Board will seek indemnity from parents in respect of any liability arising from the administration of medicines

• The school generally advocates the self administration (e.g. inhalers) of medicine under the supervision of a responsible adult, exercising the standard of care of a prudent parent.  No medicines are stored on the school premises.  A small quantity of prescription drugs will be stored in the Principal’s Office if a child requires self-administering on a daily basis and parents have requested storage facilities.  Parents are responsible for the provision of medication and notification of change of dosage

Emergencies

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. It is the parents/guardians responsibility to notify the school if these contact details change during the school year.

First Aid Boxes

A first aid box is kept at the first-aid station in the hall. It contains anti-septic wipes, anti-septic bandages, sprays, steri-strips, cotton wool, scissors, gloves, etc.  A full medical kit is taken when children are engaged in out of school activities such as tours, football/hurling games and athletic activities.

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 & 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 Deputy Principal is the Health and Safety Officer and the maintenance and replenishment of First Aid Boxes is a post of responsibility within the middle management structure in the school. A member of the Board of Management holds the post of Health and Safety Officer on the Board.

Success Criteria

The effectiveness of the school policy in its present form is measured by the following criteria;

• Compliance with Health and Safety legislation

• Maintaining a safe and caring environment for children

• Positive feedback from parents/teachers

• Ensuring the primary responsibility for administering remains with parents/guardians

Important Note

No member of staff is willing to administer any form of medication with the exception of the anaphalytic pen as is their right.

Ratification & Review

This policy was approved by the Board of Management in the academic year 2018/2019 and will be reviewed in the academic year 2019/2020.

It will be reviewed in the event of incidents or on the enrolment of child/children with significant medical conditions.

ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICINES IN SCHOOLS INDEMNITY

THIS INDEMNITY made the          day of                            20     BETWEEN

                                                             /                                                        

(father/mother/guardian) of                                     of                               

                                                                                                              (address)

(hereinafter called 'the parents") of the one part and Rev. Fr. Noel Horneck, Chairperson for and on behalf of the Board of Management of Kilbride National School, Kilbride, Trim, Co. Meath (hereinafter called "The Board) of the other part.

WHEREAS:

1. The parents/guardians are respectively the lawful father/mother/guardians of a pupil of the above school.

2. The pupil suffers on an on-going basis from the condition known as

3. The pupil may, while attending school, require, in emergency circumstances, the administration of medication, viz.

4. The parents have agreed that the said medication may, in emergency circumstances,  be administered by the pupils' classroom teacher and/or

such other member of staff of the school as may be designated from           time to time by the Board.

IT IS HEREBY AGREED by and between the parties hereto as follows:

1. a) In consideration of the Board entering into the within Agreement, the parents, as the lawful father/mother/guardians respectively of the said pupil HEREBY AGREE to indemnify and keep indemnified the Board, its servants and agents including without prejudice to the generality the said pupil's class teacher and/or the Principal of the said school from and against all claims.

IN WITNESS whereof the parties hereto have hereunto set their hands and affixed their seals the day and year first herein WRITTEN.

Page 1 of 2

SIGNED AND SEALED by the parents in the presence of:

SIGNED AND SEALED by the Chairperson in the presence of:

Page 2 of 2

Summary

Parents

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.

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.

Board of Management

The Board, having considered the matter, may authorise a staff member to administer medication to a pupil or to monitor the self-administration by a pupil.

The Board will ensure that the authorised person is properly instructed in how to administer the medicine.

The Board shall seek an indemnity from parents in respect of liability that may arise regarding the administration of the medicine

The Board shall inform the school insurers accordingly

The Board shall make arrangements for the safe storage of medication and procedures for the administration of medication in the event of the authorised staff member’s absence.

Staff Members

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

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

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

In administering medication 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.

In emergency situations, staff will do no more that 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.