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Achievement for All ST JOSEPH S BOYS SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICINES POLICY Reviewed _______________ Date ___________ Agreed SMT _______________ Principal Date ___________ Agreed BOG _______________ Date ___________

St Joseph s Boys School Achievement for All POLICY FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION 1 1 The Board of Governors and staff of St Joseph s Boys School wish to ensure that pupils with medication needs receive appropriate care and support at school The Principal will accept responsibility in principle for members of the school staff giving or supervising pupils taking prescribed medication during the school day where those members of staff have volunteered to do so Please note that parents should keep their children at home if acutely unwell or infectious 2 1 Parents are responsible for providing the Principal with comprehensive information regarding the pupil s condition and medication 3 1 Prescribed medication will not be accepted in school without complete written and signed instructions from the parent 4 1 Staff will not give a non prescribed medicine to a child Pupils sometimes ask for painkillers eg paracetamol School staff should not generally give non prescribed medication to pupils it may not be known whether the child had a previous dose whether the child is allergic to this drug or whether there may be a reaction with another drug previously taken 5 1 Only reasonable quantities of medication should be supplied to the school for example a maximum of four weeks supply at any one time 6 1 Where the pupil travels on school transport with an escort parents should ensure the escort has written instructions relating to any medication sent with the pupil including medication for administration during respite care 7 1 Each item of medication must be delivered to the Principal or Authorised Person in normal circumstances by the parent in a secure and labelled container as originally dispensed Each item of medication must be clearly labelled with the following information Pupil s Name Name of medication Dosage Frequency of administration Date of dispensing Storage requirements if important Expiry date

The school will not accept items of medication in unlabelled containers 8 1 Medication will be kept in a secure place out of the reach of pupils Unless otherwise indicated all medication to be administered in school will be kept in a locked medicine cabinet 9 1 The school will keep records which they will have available for parents 10 1 If children refuse to take medicines staff will not force them to do so and will inform the parents of the refusal as a matter of urgency on the same day If a refusal to take medicines results in an emergency the school s emergency procedures will be followed 11 1 It is the responsibility of parents to notify the school in writing if the pupil s need for medication has ceased 12 1 It is the parents responsibility to renew the medication when supplies are running low and to ensure that the medication supplied is within its expiry date 13 1 The school will not make changes to dosages on parental instructions 14 1 School staff will not dispose of medicines Medicines which are in use and in date should be collected by the parent at the end of each term Date expired medicines or those no longer required for treatment will be returned immediately to the parent for transfer to a community pharmacist for safe disposal 15 1 For each pupil with long term or complex medication needs the Principal will ensure that a Medication Plan and Protocol is drawn up in conjunction with the appropriate health professionals 16 1 Where it is appropriate to do so pupils will be encouraged to administer their own medication if necessary under staff supervision Parents will be asked to confirm in writing if they wish their child to carry their medication with them in school 17 1 Staff who volunteer to assist in the administration of medication will receive appropriate training guidance through arrangements made with the School Health Service 18 1 The school will make every effort to continue the administration of medication to a pupil whilst on trips away from the school premises even if additional arrangements might be required However there may be occasions when it may not be possible to include a pupil on a school trip if appropriate supervision cannot be guaranteed 19 1 All staff will be made aware of the procedures to be followed in the event of an emergency All staff should know who is responsible for carrying out emergency procedures in the event of a particular need and who is the First Aider A pupil who is taken to hospital by ambulance should be accompanied by a member of staff who will remain until the parent arrives If a pupil is taken to hospital it is essential that school makes every effort to inform parents immediately failing that the emergency contact person will be informed

20 1 Where there is concern about whether the School can meet a pupil s needs or parental expectations the Principal will seek advice from appropriate professionals namely WELB CCMS Senior Medical Officer or other health professionals FIRST AID STAFF Paul Eastwood Caroline Barnett Seamus Toman Roisin McLaughlin Cecilia McDevitt Melissa Doran Colette Hazlett Geraldine Wade HEARTSTART STAFF Declan Kirk Seamus Toman Elaine McDermott Carla Hagan