ADMINISTERING MEDICINES

 

Policy statement

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While it is not our policy to care for sick children, who should be at home until they are well enough to return to the setting, we will agree to administer medication as part of maintaining their health and well-being or when they are recovering from an illness.

In many cases, it is possible for children’s G.P ‘s to prescribe medicine that can be taken at home in the morning and evening.  As far as possible, administering medicines will only be done where it would be detrimental to the child’s health if not given in the setting.  If a child has not had a medication before, it is advised that the parent keeps the child at home for the first 48 hours to ensure no adverse effect, as well as to give time for the medication to take effect.

These procedures are written in line with current guidance in ‘Managing Medicines in Schools and Early Years Settings’, the manager is responsible for ensuring that all staff understand and follow these procedures.

A trained first aider is responsible for the correct administration of medication to children in the setting.  This includes ensuring that parent consent forms have been completed, that medicines are stored correctly and that records are kept according to procedures.

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Procedures

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    Children taking prescribed medication must be well enough to attend the setting.
    Only prescribed medication is administered.  It must be in-date and prescribed for the current condition.
    Children’s prescribed medicines are stored in their original containers, are clearly labelled and are inaccessible to the children.

    Parents give prior written permission for the administration of medication.  The staff receiving the medication must ask the parent to sign a consent form stating the following information.  No medication may be given without these details being provided:

1.    Full name of child and date of birth.
2.    Name of medication and strength.
3.    Who prescribed it.
4.    Dosage to be given in the setting.
5.    How the medication should be stored and the expiry date.
6.    Any possible side effects that may be expected should be noted.
7.    Signature, printed name of parent and date.

    The administration is recorded accurately each time it is given and is signed by the staff member who administered it.  Parents also sign the record book to acknowledge the administration of a medicine.  The medication record book records :

1.    Name of child.
2.    Name and strength of medication.
3.    The date and time of dose.
4.    Dose given and method.
5.    Is signed by the first aider who administered medication, and is verified by parent signature at the end of the day.

Storage of medicines

    All medication is stored safely in the cupboard or refrigerator if necessary.  As the cupboard and refrigerator are not used solely for the storage of medicines, they are kept in a marked plastic box.
    The first aider is responsible for ensuring medicines are handed back at the end of the day to the parent.
    For some conditions, medication may be kept in the setting.  First aiders check that any medication held to administer on an ‘as and when required’ basis, or on a regular basis, is in date and returns any out-of-date medication back to the parents.

Administering of medication

    If the administration of prescribed medication requires medical knowledge, individual training is provided for the relevant member of staff by a health professional

    No child may self-administer.  Where children are capable of understanding when they need medication, for example with asthma, they should be encouraged to tell a member of staff what they need.  However, this does not replace staff vigilance in knowing and responding when a child requires medication.

Children who have long term medical conditions and who may require ongoing medication

    For some medical conditions, staff will need to have training in a basic understanding of the condition, as well as how the medication is to be administered correctly.
    Children may have their medication stored in the cupboard at Little Rockets  continually i.e. asthma pump.
    The trained first aider is to ensure that relieving medication for asthma is taken outside during physical play.

Managing medicines on trips and outings

    If children are going on outings, staff accompanying the children must include the trained first aider.
    Medication for a child is taken in a sealed plastic box, clearly labelled with the child’s name, name of the medication, and inside the box should be a copy of the signed consent form and a card to record when it has been given, with the details as given above.
    On returning to the setting, the card is stapled to the medicine record book and the parent signs it.
    If a child on medication has to be taken to hospital, the child’s medication is taken in a sealed plastic box, clearly labelled with the child’s name and name of medication.  Inside the box is a copy of the consent form signed by the parent.
    This procedure is read alongside the outings procedure.