The need for medication is a regular and vital part of many young children’s lives. The nursery recognises this and we will endeavour to do our upmost to meet the needs of these children and their families. The management will ensure that all staff are familiar with the aim and objective of this policy.
Nursery’s Duty:
The person responsible for ensuring the medical policy and procedure is effective is Sue Melvin.
- The designated person will ensure that the practitioners within the setting will only administer medication when they can do so safely.
- No medication will be administered unless written permission has been given. Please be advised that in an emergency medical situation where prior written permission has not been given to administer medicine, an ambulance will be called.
- Should the need to administer medication arise the ‘administered medication form’ will be completed and shared with the relevant parent/guardian.
- If the administration of medication requires technical/medical knowledge e.g. Eppi-pens, insulin injections, suppositories etc, then individual training must be provided for staff from a qualified health professional, prior to the child attending. Training will be specific to the individual child concerned.
- Medication will only be administered by staff, who has received the relevant technical/medical training from a qualified health professional.
Duty of Parents/Guardians:
- Parents/guardians are requested to inform the setting of any health needs and advise the setting on any changes in health care.
- Medicines must be provided by the parent/guardian, the setting will NOT supply any medication. The setting will only accept medicine prescribed by the Doctor.
- Medication will only be administered to whom it is prescribed and will NOT be used for anyone else.
- All medication must be given to senior staff as soon as it is dropped off.
- Medication must be in date and in the original container in which it was dispensed. The label (which must be in English and legible) must include the instructions for administration. We will only administer the dosage and frequency indicated on the instructions.
- The setting must be informed about any medication given to the child earlier that day.
- The parent/guardian must be sure that the setting understands how and when to administer medicine.
- Any possible side effects or adverse effects of the medication that the child is taking must be shared with the setting.
Consent:
- The setting has a form ‘permission to administer medication’ which must be completed by the child’s parent/guardian before any medication is administered.
- A new consent must be provided for each medication.
- Consent for regular prescribed medication will be reviewed every 6 months with the parents/guardians. A child that has a medical condition which requires long term medication will have a care plan implemented.
- The parent/guardian must provide prior written consent; verbal consent will NOT be accepted.
- It may be appropriate to use non-prescribed medicines e.g. nappy cream or pain relief to help a child to feel comfortable, however, the same process of permission gaining from parents will be followed as for prescribed medicines.
Storage:
- Medication must be sent home with the child daily and cannot be left overnight in the nursery.
- The exception to this is for children with long term medical conditions such as serious food allergies, febrile convulsions, asthma, eczema etc. Medication for these conditions can be kept in the nursery as long as permission to do so has been obtained.
- Medication will be stored out of children’s reach and strictly in accordance with the product’s instructions. A locked cabinet for medication is situated within the kitchen area.