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 medicines.
The Board of Management requests parents to ensure that teachers are made aware in writing of any medical condition suffered by a child in their class.
- Non prescriptive medicines will neither be stored nor administered to pupils in school.
- Prescribed medicines will not be administered in school without the written consent of parents and the specific authorisation of the board of Management
- Medicines should not be kept by the pupil but in a locked cupboard out of reach of pupils. Certain medicines such as inhalers used by asthmatic children, must be readily accessible at all times of the school day
- Prescribed medication should be self administered, where possible, with the supervision of an authorised adult
- Written records of the date and time of administration are kept
- Teachers cannot administer medication without the specific authorisation of the Board and should not be requested to do so without such authorisation
- In emergency situations, qualified medical assistance will be sought at the earliest opportunity
- Parents of a pupil requiring ongoing regular medication during school hours should write to the Board requesting them to authorise a member of staff to administer the medication in school
- Written instructions are required from the parent/guardian to the Board of Management giving the name of the child, name and dose of medication, whether child should be responsible for self administering, circumstances in which medication is to be given by the school and written consent for same, when the parent needs to be notified and their contact information. It is the parents responsibility to check each morning whether or not the authorised teacher is in school
- Where children suffer from life threatening conditions, parents should clearly outline in writing, what can and can’t be done in a particular emergency situation, with particular reference as to what may be a risk to the child
- Parents are requested to indemnify the Board of Management and authorised members of staff in respect of any liability that may arise regarding the administration of prescribed medicines in school. The Board of Management will inform the schools insures accordingly
- Where permission has been given by the board of Management for the administration of medicine the smallest possible dose should be brought to school, preferably by the parent/guardian, containing the child’s name and with clear written instructions for it’s administration
- Changes of prescribed medication or dosage should be notified immediately to the school with clear written instructions of the procedure to be followed in storing and administration of new medication
Parents should ensure that all above procedures are clearly understood before submitting any request to the Board of Management