Introduction
Owenabue Educate Together National School is a co-educational primary school under the
patronage of Educate Together. It operates according to the rules for national schools,
laid down by the Department of Education and Skills.
In line with our Educate Together ethos, we aim to provide a happy, secure environment
where children, parents, teachers, ancillary staff and the Board of Management work in
partnership; where each individual is valued, encouraged and respected for their
uniqueness.
The Board of Management and the staff are committed to providing the best possible
education and care for its pupils and will always respond to the needs of a child if that
child becomes ill or is injured while in the care of the school. Some children may have
long-term health care needs that require on-going medication to allow them to access
education. We are committed to supporting children in this situation and to facilitating
their participation in school life. If administration of medication is required to facilitate
a fully inclusive environment every effort will be made to accommodate children’s
needs in line with the provisions below.
This policy was drafted through a collaborative school process and will be implemented
in accordance with other policies in use in the school.
Rationale
The policy as outlined was put in place to:
- Clarify areas of responsibility
- Give clear guidance about situations when it is appropriate to administer
medicines
- Indicate the limitations to any requirements which may be notified to teachers
and school staff
- Safeguard school staff that are willing to administer medication
- Protect against possible litigation
Relationship to School Ethos
The school promotes positive home-school contacts, not only in relation to the welfare
of children, but in relation to all aspects of school life. This policy is in keeping with
the school ethos through the provision of a safe, secure and caring school environment
and the furthering of positive home-school links.
Aims of this Policy
The aims and objectives of the policy can be summarised as follows;
- To promote attendance of pupils at school
- To minimise health risks to children and staff on the school premises
- To fulfil the duty of the BoM in relation to Health and Safety requirements
- To provide a framework within which medicines may be administered in cases
of emergency or in instances where regularised administration has been agreed
with parents/guardians
Definition of First Aid
For the purposes of this policy, “first aid” shall mean the;
- treatment of minor injury (e.g. cuts, sprains and bruises) or
- treatment of a life-threatening situation pending professional medical help
The object of first aid in a school situation is not to cure the injured person, but to
ensure, as far as possible that the injury or illness is not worsened before professional
help is obtained as required. School staff should not hesitate to act in an emergency.
Other adults on duty should automatically assist any member of school staff in the case
of a serious injury.
Designated First Aid Co-ordinator
The Board of Management will designate a first aid co-ordinator who must complete a
recognised training course at least every 2 years and has been certified as competent by
a recognised occupational first aid instructor. It is the responsibility of the designated
first aid co-ordinator to
- oversee the administration of first aid in the school
- inform the members of the school staff of the first aid arrangements, including
the locations of equipment, facilities and first aid personnel
- ensure the adequate stocking of and availability of first aid equipment
- ensure that an ambulance or other professional medical assistance is called when
appropriate
Staff who agree to act as additional designated first aid officers do so on a voluntary
basis.
Equipment
The first aid box is located in the office. All school staff will be made aware of this
location. The contents of such boxes are replenished when deemed necessary by the
coordinator.
Minor Accident/Injury
On occasion, children are injured in an accident in the school. This usually happens in
the schoolyard when children are playing. The teacher on yard duty initially looks after
the injured child. If deemed necessary, the child will be taken to a First Aider. No
medicines are to be administered but cuts are to be cleaned, plasters (latex free) or
bandages applied as deemed appropriate. The use of latex free plastic gloves is advised
at all times.
More Serious Accidents/Injuries
If considered safe to do so, the injured person is taken to a designated quiet area. The
parent(s) or guardian(s) will be informed immediately, particularly if there is a
suspicion of broken bones, head or eye injuries. The child is kept under observation
until the parent(s) or guardian(s) arrive, with the emphasis on making the child as
comfortable and settled as possible.
Head Injuries
A head injury is considered to be any injury that occurs above the neck. Due to the
difficulty in ascertaining how serious a bump to the head is, parents are always
contacted if a child receives a head injury. If it is considered to be a serious injury, the
parent(s) or guardian(s) are contacted by phone as soon as possible and, as above, the
child is kept under observation with the emphasis on making the child as comfortable
and settled as possible. If the injury is not considered to be serious, the parent(s) or
guardian(s) are contacted by text so that they are aware to keep an eye on the child.
Very Serious Injuries
In the event of a very serious injury, if the considered opinion of the staff is that
immediate professional help is required, an ambulance is to be called. The parent(s) or
guardian(s) will be contacted immediately.
Urgent first aid to preserve life or prevent further serious injury shall be administered,
the injured person shall be kept immobile and comfortable until a qualified medical
professional such as a doctor, nurse or ambulance attendee can take over management
of the situation.
On rare occasions a school staff may agree that taking the child to Accident &
Emergency in a taxi is a more prudent option. Parent(s) or guardian(s) are to be kept
informed of developing situations.
Record Keeping
All serious accidents/injuries are recorded in the Accident Report Book, which is
located in the office. There is a single Accident Report Book which covers all children
in the school. The Accident Report Book lists the date and time of the accident, nature
of injuries, a brief description of the circumstance of the accident, procedures followed
by staff etc.
Very serious injuries will be notified to the school’s insurers – Special Incident Report
Form.
In the case of serious injury to a staff member, the Health and Safety Authority will be
informed in accordance with HSA guidelines. This will also be notified to the school’s
insurers.
Minor Illnesses
A child who is ill and unfit to attend school would normally be kept at home until fully
recovered. Occasionally, children become ill at school and the class teacher or principal
will arrange for the parent(s) or guardian(s) to be contacted to bring the child home. In
an emergency situation qualified medical help will be sought for the child.
Allergies
Parents are requested to notify the school about any allergies from which their child
suffers. This question is asked on the initial Enrolment Form and parents and guardians
are reminded each September of the need to fill out a Medical Information Form if
necessary. Photos of children with serious allergies and relevant information regarding
the treatment of these children are kept in a folder which all staff and substitutes are
made aware of regularly. This folder is kept with the first aid supplies.
Chronic Health Conditions
The Board of Management and the school are committed to ensuring the safety of
pupils with chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, epilepsy or anaphylaxis.
The parent(s) or guardian(s) have primary responsibility for their child’s health and, on
enrolment, must provide the school, in writing, with any relevant medical information.
Parents are obliged to inform the school if there is a change in their child’s medical
needs, if there has been a change to the child’s medication or if a new diagnosis is
received. This can be done by completing the Medical Information Form. This medical
information should be updated annually or as often as necessary.
The Board of Management will ensure that teachers are made aware of any students in
their care who have medical conditions. The Board of Management will provide for
training in the administration of emergency medication for specific conditions, where
necessary.
In line with the resources provided by the Department of Education and Skills, the
school will make all efforts to ensure that all pupils with chronic conditions can
participate in all aspects of the curriculum and the provision of appropriate adjustments
as necessary.
Responsibility for Administration of Medication
No staff member can be required to administer medicine or drugs to a pupil. Any staff
member who is willing to administer medicines should only do so under strictly controlled
guidelines, fully confident that the administration will be safe.
A staff member who takes responsibility for administering medicines also takes on a
heavy legal duty of care to discharge the responsibility correctly. Every reasonable
precaution must be taken. Clear instructions about medicines requiring regular
administration must be obtained and strictly followed.
The following procedures will apply:
- The parent(s) or guardian(s) of the pupil concerned must write to the Board of
Management requesting the authorisation of a member of the school staff to
administer the medication.
- The request must also contain written instructions of the procedure to be
followed in administering the medication. The parent(s) or guardian(s) must
outline clearly what can and cannot be done in a particular emergency situation,
with particular reference to what may be a risk to the child.
- The Board of Management, having considered the matter, may authorise a
teacher to administer medication to a pupil. If the teacher is so authorised, she/he
should be properly instructed by the Board of Management.
- It is the responsibility of the parents to ensure that all necessary medication is
brought into the school and is clearly labelled with pupil’s name, name of the
medication, dosage and frequency of the medication, expiry date of the
medication.
- It is also the responsibility of the parent or guardian to check the expiry date of
the medication and to appropriately dispose of out-of-date medication. Any
medication requiring refrigeration must be sent into school in an airtight
container clearly labelled with the details set out above.
- A staff member will not administer medication without the specific authorisation
of the Board of Management.
- In administering medication to pupils, staff members will exercise the standard
of care of a reasonable and prudent parent or guardian.
- The Board of Management will inform the school’s insurers accordingly.
- The Board of Management will seek an indemnity from the parent(s) or
guardian(s) in respect of any liability that may arise regarding the administration
of the medication.
- A written record of the date and time of administration must be kept by the
person administering it.
- Emergency medication will be brought on all school trips and to other activities
off the school premises.
Parent(s) or guardians(s) should ensure that these procedures are clearly understood
before submitting any request for the administration of medication to the Board of
Management. Where the above procedure is put in place the Board of Management will
give consideration to authorising another member of staff to administer the medication
in the event that the regular staff member is not available.
Criteria in Considering a Medication Request
When considering an administration of medication request from parent(s) or
guardian(s), the Board of Management will consider the request using the following
criteria.
- Are procedures, in line with the INTO guidelines, followed when the parent(s)
or guardian(s) make a request to the Board of Management that a staff member
administer medication?
- What categories of medication may staff administer and under what conditions?
- Where a pupil has a specific medical condition, are members of the school staff
aware of the likely symptoms of an attack/illness for that pupil?
- Where medication might be required, has training in the administration of
medication been provided to school staff to deal with such circumstances?
- What arrangements are made when the member of school staff designated to
administer the medication is absent?
- Who will administer the medication in an emergency?
- What safety precautions are needed for staff members? e.g. Has/have the staff
members received clear instructions from the parent(s) or guardian(s) or more
suitably qualified person as to exactly how and when the medication is to be
administered?
- Has the indemnity form been completed?
- How is school staff informed of medication administration arrangements from
year to year?
- How is safe storage and access to medication ensured?
- Are up to date contact details of parent(s) or guardian(s) available?
- Are emergency numbers available?
- How often is this particular case reviewed?
Non-Prescription Medications
Children are not permitted to carry non-prescription medications in school such as, but
not limited to, cough mixtures, painkillers (paracetamol or ibuprofen) and
antihistamines and these will not be administered to pupils.
If found such medications will be placed in a secure place in the office and parent(s) or guardian(s) will be contacted.
Safe disposal of medications
Parent(s) or guardian(s) must ensure that an adult collects out-of-date medication. Used
Adrenalin auto injectors (Anapens) must be given to the attending ambulance crew.
Disposal of Sharps
Sharps boxes must be used for the safe disposal of needles. (A sharps box is a small
yellow plastic container with a protective lid that is used for the disposal of used
needles). The parent(s) or guardian(s) must provide the school with a sharps box. All
sharps boxes in this school will be stored in a locked cupboard when not in use unless
alternative safe and secure arrangements are put in place on a case- by-case basis.
If a sharps box is needed on an off-site or residential visit, a named member of staff will
be responsible for its safe storage and will return it to school or the student’s parent(s)
or guardian(s). The parent(s) or guardian(s) must arrange collection and disposal of
sharps boxes.
General Recommendations
We recommend that any child who shows signs of illness should be kept at home;
requests from parents to keep their children in at lunch break are not encouraged. A
child too sick to play with peers should not be in school.
Roles and Responsibilities
The BoM has overall responsibility for the implementation and monitoring of the school
policy on First Aid and the Administration of Medicines.
The Principal is the day to day manager of routines contained in the policy with the
assistance of all staff members.
Parents have a responsibility to keep the school informed of all relevant medical
information and to provide up-to-date emergency contact numbers.
Success Criteria
- The effectiveness of the school policy in its present form is measured by the following
criteria
- Compliance with Health and Safety legislation
- Maintaining a safe and caring environment for children
- Positive feedback from parents/teachers
- Ensuring the primary responsibility for administering remains with
parents/guardians