Administration of Medicines

Medicines must only be brought to playgroup for administration by staff when it is essential, this means where it would be detrimental to the child's health if the medicine was not administered during the child's session.

Non Prescription Medicine

The setting does not normally accept medicines that have not been prescribed by a doctor, dentist, nurse prescriber or pharmacist prescriber, children are only given non-prescribed medicine with specific written permission from the parents, if a child needs regular pain relief parents will be encouraged to take their child to their doctor. Blanket consent for giving non prescription medicines is not acceptable.

Storage of Medicine

The playgroup will not administer any medicine that is not in the original container clearly labelled with the Child s name and the dosage.

We will only follow the dosage as instructed by the doctor, dentist, nurse prescriber or pharmacist prescriber or as instructed on the container (non prescribed medicine) we will not change this.

Medicines will be stored strictly in accordance with product instructions (paying particular note to temperature) and in the original container in which dispensed, it is stored in a lidded box either in the fridge or on a shelf out of children's reach.

Children at playgroup do not normally carry their own medicine, asthma inhalers or emergency medicine is available for immediate access.

Trips and Educational Visits

Staff will consider what reasonable adjustments they might make to enable children with medical needs to participate fully and safely on visits. This might include reviewing and revising the visits risk assessments so that planning arrangements will include the necessary steps to include children with medical needs.

Sometimes additional safety measures may need to be taken for outside visits. It may be that an additional staff, a parent or another volunteer might be needed to accompany a particular child. Arrangements for taking any necessary medicines will also need to be taken into consideration. Staff supervising excursions should always be aware of any medical needs, and relevant emergency procedures. A copy of any health care plans will be taken on visits in the event of the information being needed in an emergency.

Parent/Carers Responsibilities

Parents/carers must keep the setting up to date on their Childs medical needs, a health care plan must be completed if a child has medical needs for example febrile convulsions or any condition that requires certain interventions.

An individual health care plan clarifies for staff, parents and the child the help that Can be provided. It is important for staff to be guided by the child's GP or paediatrician. Staff will agree with parents how often they should jointly review the health care plan. It is sensible to do this at least once a year, but much depends on the nature of the child's particular needs; some would need reviewing more frequently.

Medicine Forms

Medicine forms must be completed by the parent or person with parental responsibility. Before any medicine is administered.

An asthma inhaler form and preschool asthma card is available for parents to complete if their child has asthma.

Role and Responsibilities of Staff Administrating Medicines

Playgroup staff are under no obligation to administer or supervise giving medicines to children and neither they nor the playgroup committee will be liable for any contra-effects or missed doses.

Long Term or Complex Medical Needs

Some children with medical needs have complex health needs that require more support than regular medicine. Playgroup will seek medical advice about each Childs individual need from their GP with parental permission. Staff will undertake training if necessary.

Procedures for Staff Administering Medicines and Record Keeping

Staff administering medicine must check:

• The child's name
• Prescribed dose
• Expiry date
• Written instructions provided by the prescriber on the label or original container. Time when last dose was given
• Check parent has completed and signed the medicine form/asthma form
• Staff must have a witness to the medicine being administered

Staff must record the time and dosage and give a copy to the parent, where the child attends another setting in the afternoon the parent will be texted or telephoned and a medicine dosage form sent with the child.

Parents will then sign to say they were informed of the dosage on the medicine form when next attending.

Refusal of Medication

If a child refuses medication staff will not force them to do so, parents will be contacted straight away, and asked to return to playgroup to administer the medicine, if refusal results in an emergency situation the procedures below will be followed, or as detailed in the child's health care plan.

Medical Emergency Procedures

These are beside the filing cabinet in the playroom and will be followed in a medical emergency.

An ambulance needs to be used in all medical emergencies not personal transport. The settings risk assessments regularly review emergency procedures and storage and administration of medicines.