ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION POLICY

This policy is formulated in accordance with guidelines issued by the (Primary Schools’ Managerial Bodies) and the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation.

Introduction

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 medication.

The Board of Management of Gaelscoil na Dúglaise requests parents to ensure that staff members are made aware in writing of any medical condition suffered by their child. This information should be provided at enrolment or at the development of any medical conditions at a later date.

Medication in this policy refers to medicines, tablets and sprays administered by mouth only.

Policy Content

1. Procedure to be followed by parents who require the administration of medication for their children

• 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. (see Appendix 1)
• 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.

2. Procedures to be followed by the 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.

3. Responsibilities of Staff Members
• No staff member can be required to administer medication to a pupil.
• Any staff member who is willing to administer medicines should do so under strictly controlled guidelines in the belief that the administration is safe.
• Written instructions on the administration of the medication must be provided.
• Medication must 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 should 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.

Ratified by Board of Management on Monday
          Date 19th November 2018

Signed Séamus Ó Laoi
  Chairperson, Board of Management

APPENDIX 1

Request for Administration of Medication –Information & Consent
Child’s name _____________________Date of birth _____________

Name of medication ___________________________________Dosage_____________

Under what circumstances should medication be given
¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬

Condition for which medication required,_________________________________

Other medication being taken ___________________________________________

My child CAN / CAN NOT self-administer this medication

GP name _____________________________________Phone no ___________________

1st Emergency contact _______________________Mobile no __________________

2nd Emergency contact _______________________Mobile no __________________
I consent for staff members in the school to administer/supervise
administration of ________________________, in dosage of _____________, to my child ______________________________under the circumstances outlined above.
I understand that information about my child’s medical condition and treatment will be shared with school staff, and in the event of an emergency with the GP or other medical personnel. I also consent to the disclosure of this information to the school’s insurers if required
Signed_______________________________________date_______________________
Print name___________________________________

                                  APPENDIX 2
                          (APPENDIX 46 from Board of Management Handbook)
ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICINES IN SCHOOLS – INDEMNITY
THIS INDEMNITY made the _______________________day of 20______ BETWEEN_____________________________________________(lawful father and mother of ________________________________
(hereinafter called ‘the parents’ of the One Part AND for and on behalf of the Board of Management of Gaelscoil na Dúglaise   situated in Douglas in the County of Cork (hereinafter called ‘the Board’) of the Other Part.
WHEREAS:
1. The parents are respectively the lawful father and mother of
______________________________ a pupil of the above school
2. The pupil suffers on an ongoing basis from the condition
known as ___________________________________
3. The pupil may, while attending the said 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 said pupil’s classroom teacher and/or such other member of staff of the said school as my be designated from time to time by the Board.
NOW IT IS HEREBY AGREED by and between the parents hereto as
follows:
In consideration of the Board entering into the within Agreement, the parents, as the lawful father and mother 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, both present and future, arising from the administration or failure to administer the said medicines.

Signed _____________________________________ (Parent)

                               
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

 

 

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