Shandrum National School

Policy on the Administration of Medicines

Introduction

The Board of Management has a duty to safeguard the health and safety of pupils while engaged in authorised school activities. Accordingly teachers also have a professional duty to safeguard the health and safety of pupils while on the school premises and while engaged in school related activities elsewhere. However this does not imply a duty upon any individual teacher to personally undertake the administration of medicines. Also teachers do not take responsibility for administration of any medication which if administered incorrectly or for other reasons could have a damaging effect on the health of a child.

It is recognised that it is desirable for children with long term recurring health problems such as asthma, epilepsy, diabetes and anaphylaxis to be accommodated within school. However to achieve this proper and clearly understood arrangements for administration of medicines must be made. Parents must provide maximum support and assistance in helping the school to accommodate the pupil.

In a case where teachers are willing to undertake the administration of medicines, they must have the express permission of the Board of Management, have the written approval of the parents and have been properly trained to deal with the child's condition and the administration of the medicine.

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

Summary

§ No teacher can be required to administer medicine or drugs to a pupil.

§ Any teacher who is willing to administer medicines or drugs will do so under strictly controlled guidelines and will only do so in emergency situations.

§ The parents of the pupil concerned must write to the Board of Management requesting the Board to authorise a member of the teaching staff to administer the medication.

§ Parents must provide maximum support and assistance to the authorised teacher including measures such as self administration [where necessary and only after approval from a G.P.] or under parental supervision.

§ The parent/s must inform the authorised teacher in writing of the medical condition of the child, the procedures for identifying the symptoms of the condition, the exact methods for administration of the medication and the exact steps to be taken in an emergency situation.

§ It is the parents' responsibility to check each morning whether or not the authorised teacher is in school and contact the Principal Teacher.

§ The Parent/s are totally and absolutely responsible for seeing to it that an adequate supply of the medication is at hand in the school.

§ The Board of Management, having considered the matter, may authorise a teacher to administer medication to a pupil.

§ In the event of no teacher being willing to undertake the responsibility of administrating medication the Board of Management will contact the Dept. of Ed. and Science.

§ The authorised teacher should be clearly instructed by the Board as to the procedures for administration of the medicine.

§ The authorised teacher should administer the smallest dose possible to ensure recovery until a medical expert can take over.

§ All injections can only be administered using epipen type equipment.

§ No teacher can administer medication without the specific authorisation of the Board.

§ The Board of Management will seek an indemnity from the parent/s in respect of any liability that may arise to the Board or to the authorised teacher regarding the administration of the medication.

§ The Board of Management must make arrangements for the administration of the medication in the event of the authorised teacher being absent.

§ Non-prescriptive medicines will neither be stored nor administered to pupils in school.

§ The medication cannot be kept by the pupil but the Board of Management must make arrangements for the safe storage of all medications in a lockable cabinet.

§ Changes in prescribed medication [or dosage] must be notified immediately to the authorised teacher with clear written instructions as to the administration and storage of the new medication.

This policy was reviewed by the Board of Management on 06/04/2006 and in November 2012.

Chairperson: Chris Morrissey