Policy for Administration of Medicines

St. Paul’s School

 

Introduction:

St. Paul’s school has a full time school nurse for pupils in the severe/profound classes and access to a second nurse is provided for the pupils in the moderate stream.

Rationale:

The policy as outlined was put in place to;

 

• Clarify areas of responsibility for teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs)
• To give clear guidance about situations where it is not appropriate to administer medicines
• To indicate the limitations to any requirements which may be notified to teachers and school staff
• To outline procedures to deal with a pupil with a nut/egg allergy/any allergy
• Safeguard school staff that are willing to administer medication
• 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
• Fulfill the duty of the Board of Management (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/Guardians are required to complete a Health/Medication form when enrolling their child/ren in the school.  Teachers/SNAs are not obliged to administer medicine or drugs to a pupil and any teacher/SNA willing to do so works under the controlled guidelines outlined below.

• Medicines are stored in a locked press in the nurse’s office.   Emergency medication are stored in 3 locked presses throughout the school accessed only by class teachers and school nurses.

• This does not imply a duty upon teachers/SNA’s personally, to undertake the administration of medicines or drugs.

• Parents/guardians are responsible for the provision of medication and notification of change of dosage

 

Guidelines for the Administration of Medicines

1. The parents/guardians of the pupil with special medical needs must inform the nursing staff  in writing of the condition, giving all the necessary details of the condition.
2. Through parental agreement, medicines are sent in their child’s schoolbag. The nurse removes the medicines as soon as the child reaches school.
3. A written record of the date and time of administration must be kept by the school nurse.
4. For daily medication, this will be on the CR21 form which must be completed by the child’s GP.
5. Parents/Guardians are responsible for ensuring that emergency medication is supplied to the school and replenished when necessary
6. Emergency medication must have exact details of how it is to be administered
7. The BoM must inform the school’s insurers accordingly
8. Parents/guardians are further required to indemnify the Board of Management and members of the staff in respect of any liability that may arise regarding the administration of prescribed medicines in school
9. All correspondence related to the above are kept in the nurses office in the school.

Medicines

• Non-prescribed medicines will neither be stored nor administered to pupils in school
• A prescription must be supplied to the school nurse for over the counter medication
• Arrangements for the storage of certain emergency medicines, which must be readily accessible at all times, must be made with the Principal and school nurse
• Teachers/SNAs cannot be required to administer medicine or drugs to a pupil
• In an emergency situation, qualified medical assistance will be secured at the earliest opportunity and the parents/guardians contacted
• It is not recommended that children keep medication in swimming bags, coats, etc.
• The parents/guardians should arrange for the administration of prescribed medicines outside of school hours.

Trips out

• The school nurse does not attend trips out but is available by telephone should a concern arise and will clarify if an ambulance needs to be called.
• The school nurse will supply the correct dosage of medicines and/or emergency medication required prior to the class leaving the school.
• Staff must have the necessary skills and knowledge to administer the medications.
• Written parental/guardian permission must be given for the administration of  medication by class staff

 

The following guidelines are in place with regard to pupils with a Nut/Egg or any other Allergy

1. Staff dealing with the pupil must not eat nuts/eggs/allergen of any item with nut/egg/allergen trace.
2. Advise children not to offer or exchange foods, sweets, lunches etc.
3. If going off-site, medication must be carried by the class teacher.

 

In the event the pupil comes in contact with nuts/eggs/allergic substance please refer to protocol in pupil’s class

 

Emergencies:

In the event of an emergency, the school nurse is contacted. Teachers/SNA’s 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 or personnel is available, and circumstances warrant immediate medical attention, an ambulance is to be called and the parents/guardians contacted immediately.

Written details are required from the GP/Consultant outlining the child’s personal details, name of medication, prescribed dosage, administration of medicine and the circumstances under which the medication is to be given.  This information is kept in the nurses office.  Parents/Guardians must inform the school nurse of any changes.

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 complete first aid box is kept in the nurse’s office in Hillcrest containing anti-septic wipes, anti-septic ointment, bandages, sprays, steri-strips, cotton wool, scissors etc.

Emergency first aid boxes are located in the shared area of the Green S class/Soft play and the shared area of the Green M/Yellow M classrooms.  Contained in these boxes are plasters, antiseptic wipes, antiseptic cream and a packet of hydrogel – Burnaid.  It is the responsibility of the school nurse(s) to ensure that these boxes are adequately stocked.

General Recommendations:

We recommend that any child who shows signs of illness should be kept at home.  Any child who has episodes of vomiting or diarrhoea MUST remain at home for 48 hours following the last episode.

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 maintenance and replenishment of First Aid Box is the responsibility of the school nurse(s).

 

 

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/guardians/teachers

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

Ratified by the Board of Management on: ______________________

Signed:____________________

            Jerry Buttimer, Chairperson