Administration of Medication Policy
Bunscoil Bhríde, Rathangan, Co. Kildare
February 2017
This policy was adopted by the Board of Management of Bunscoil Bhríde on 13th March 2012 and reviewed on 2nd December 2014 and on 28th February 2017.
Rationale
The prime purpose of the policy is:
1. That all children are protected from misuse of medication
2. That all staff may exercise their right not to administer medication.
3. That the Board of Management and staff are protected from litigation in case of misadministration.
4. The parents are aware of their responsibilities and options, should their child require medication in school hours.
Guidelines
1. Teachers cannot be required to administer medication. Their union advises them not to accept this responsibility
2. Children are not permitted to bring medications into the school that could endanger others, should they be misused. (This includes non-prescription medication).
3. Parents may approach the Board of Management in writing, should their child require medication, following the procedures outlined in appendices 1 & 2.
Administration of medication for children with short term conditions:
Definition: A short term condition is one where the child is deemed healthy enough to attend school but is in need of some medication, (e.g. antibiotics).
Guidelines:
1. The Board of Management and staff will not accept responsibility for administering medicines to children with short term medical conditions.
2. While it is hoped that parents would administer this medication at home, they may come into the school at pre-arranged times, to administer it. The school would not be responsible for storing this medicine.
Administration of medication for children with long term conditions:
Definition: A long term condition is one where the child is deemed healthy enough to attend school but is in need of regular medication. Conditions include Attention Deficit Disorder, Diabetes, Asthma etc.
Guidelines:
1. In the case of asthma, the child may administer his/her own inhaler provided parents have followed the procedures outlined in appendix 1.
2. Parents may come into the school, at pre-arranged times, to administer appropriate medication.
Administration of life saving medication for children
Definition: Examples of life saving medication are adrenaline or insulin.
Guideline:
1. The school would agree to hold life-saving medication and administer it in an emergency, provided the procedures outlined in appendix 2 have been followed.
Appendix 1
Parents who wish their child to bring an asthma inhaler to school must:
1. Request, in writing that the Board of Management permit the inhaler at school.
This request must include:
2. Notify any substitute teachers of the procedures, if class teacher is absent.
The Board of Management, before granting request, will:
1. Ascertain that teachers feel confident that the child can self-administer medication.
2. Make sure that the medication can be stored safely and is accessible to the particular child and not to other children.
The Class Teacher, on accepting the responsibility, will:
1. Monitor that the inhaler is being used and stored with due care.
2. Ensure that the inhaler is labelled with the child’s name.
3. Notify the Board and the parents if this is not the case.
Appendix 2:
Parents whose child could require life-saving medication while at school must:
1. Request, in writing, that the Board of Management permit this medication to be kept at school.
This request must include:
2. Arrange staff training in procedures of administration.
3. Make sure there is a necessary amount of medication for the child when going on class outings and remind
teachers to take the medication with them.
The Board of Management, before granting the request, will:
1. Ascertain that enough teachers feel confident that, in an emergency, they can do what is required.
2. Arrange staff training in procedures of administration.
3. Ensure that the medication is stored safely and out of reach of all children.
The Staff, after receiving training, will:
1. Decide whether they feel competent to administer medication.
Those who do feel competent will:
1. Be aware of the location of the medication
2. Administer the medication, as instructed, in the case of emergency.
3. Seek expert help for the child as soon as possible.
4. Make sure any substitute teachers are aware of the child’s condition and know which teachers can deal with the
emergency.
5. Record any incidences in which the medication has been needed and report these to the Board of Management.