Holy Family National School,

Newport, Co. Mayo

Phone 098-41442

E-Mail newportmayo.ias@eircom.net

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School Handbook

ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICINES/PROVISION OF MEDICINES POLICY.

Aims:
To clarify procedures and inform all of the school community.

Procedures:
It is recommended that
For any pupil who has a contagious infection or is in need of receipt of medication during school hours on a short-term basis, home is a more suitable environment than school, during recuperation. It is school policy that a child with a contagious illness will not attend school.
As a general rule, teachers will not be involved in the administration of medication to pupils.
No pupil may have prescribed medicines on the school premises or use same without the permission of the BOM.
In exceptional circumstances – where a teacher/designated person agrees to become involved in the administration of medication the procedure to be followed is that:

The parent(s)/guardian of the pupil concerned should write to the BOM requesting the Board to authorise a teacher, or other designated person to administer the medication, on the school premises (see Appendix A).
The request should contain written instructions of the procedure to be followed in administering the medication, and the circumstances under which it is necessary to do so.
The BOM having considered the matter may authorise the teacher/designated person to administer medication to a pupil. If the teacher/ designated person is so authorised, he/she should be properly instructed by the BOM.
A teacher/designated person will not administer medication without the specific instructions of the board.
In administering medication to a pupil, teacher/designated person will exercise the standard of care of a responsible parent.
The BOM will inform the school’s insurers accordingly.
The BOM will seek an indemnity from the parent/guardian in respect of any liability that may arise regarding the administration of medication; form from CPSMA Handbook to be completed, available from Principal.
Storage of medicine will be arranged according to the requirements, taking into account the age of the child concerned, the level of access required, personnel involved and circumstances guiding the use of the medication.
Where the above procedure is put in place, but the regular teacher is absent from school, the BOM will give consideration to authorising another member of staff to administer the medication.

If a child suffers from a long-term illness e.g. diabetes or a life-threatening allergy, the class teacher must be informed annually by the child’s parents. The parent must inform the principal and the teacher as to what action needs to be taken in the case of an emergency. If a substitute teacher is responsible for the class, that teacher should be informed of any medical conditions by the principal.

Administration of Medicines
APPENDIX A

Letter of Consent to School Management for
use of
medication/inhalers in School.

My child ____________________ is prescribed an inhaler/medication by her/his doctor.

We feel that s/he is capable of knowing when s/he needs an inhaler. With regard to other medication, if we feel our child is incapable of knowing when s/he needs it we will, if necessary make arrangements for the administration of medication during school hours.

I accept that the teachers have no responsibility in administering the above, or seeing that s/he has it in school.

Signed: _____________________

Parent: ___________________

Address : ___________________

Contact Phone no. for emergency: __________________

Family Doctor’s phone no. ________________

Date: ________________

A situation may occur where the school may feel it necessary to contact your family doctor. It is imperative that you give us his/her phone number. Please ensure that the inhaler is clearly labelled with the child’s name. There is a designated area in each classroom for inhalers. Your child will be shown this area.