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Original poster

Help me out. Medicine on school trip

33 replies

waggawagga · 29/05/2017 22:22

My ds (13) is on a school trip in Italy.
He has tablets that he sometimes needs for a small unserious afflction.

Normally he just keeps them on him and takes them each day. But because I was worried about him getting into trouble I handed them to the teacher with the times written on the bag when to take. ( We were told all medication had to be handed in)

Just had a text message from him he hasn't been taking them. He hasn't been to the teacher (having too much fun didn't cross his mind) and it seems the teacher hasn't gone to him.

I know he's at an age to take responsibly, but AIBU to expect the teacher to ensure he takes them.
Any advice please as I am not happy.

OP posts:
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harderandharder2breathe · 30/05/2017 13:29

I take Guides away and do my best to remember to administer medication but always tell the girls to come and ask in case I forget

At 13 it's your sons responsibility to take his medication. And instead of texting you about it he needs to speak to the teacher.

mikeyssister · 30/05/2017 10:13

Definitely should have submitted a form with the medication, but at 13 I would expect your DS to be able to ask for his medication.

As a scout leader I regularly go away with children of this age and it's bedlam first thing in the morning and last thing at night, it's a struggle to administer medication because the child you need is never present at the right time. I set my alarm to remember medication, but if the child is involved with activities it's easily forgotten unless it's life threatening.

DriftingDreamer · 30/05/2017 10:09

Maybe say to ds- go to your teacher and ask, otherwise I will be contacting him/her.
Surely he would be embarrassed by that and may get his act together....
Good luck!

avamiah · 30/05/2017 00:52

wagga,
Where do you want to go with this?
Yes you gave the teacher your sons medication and she didn't give it to him nor did he remind her .
It's not life threatening, so what do you want to do ?
Take legal action against the school or get the teacher sacked?
I would like to know.?

unfortunateevents · 30/05/2017 00:32

If he has managed to text you his phone is obviously charged so no reason why he couldn't have set an alarm on it. What did he think you were going to be able to do hundreds of miles away?

Original poster
waggawagga · 30/05/2017 00:22

He texted me because he suddenly remembered he hadn't taken them.
As I said morning to evening activities, obviously having too much fun and slipped his mind.

I've told him to set an alarm, (until his phone runs out of power) and see the teacher tomorrow morning.

I wrongly assumed that the teacher in charge of the medicine would have realised that it hadn't been taken since Saturday, but you are correct it's not their responsibility to make sure my ds takes it.

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avamiah · 30/05/2017 00:12

waggawagga,
Then in my opinion you shouldn't of allowed him to go on the trip in the first place,
He's 13, not 7.
If he can have a mobile phone and manage to text you then I am sorry but he can manage to inform a teacher he has medication that they are holding and he needs to take.

AlexanderHamilton · 30/05/2017 00:09

Was there not a form to fill in detailing medication & doses etc.

I've always had to fill one in for dd. She takes tablets 3 times a day but only one week per month & pretty much can't function without them.

Theimpossiblegirl · 30/05/2017 00:04

The OP is getting a bit of a hard time here. There should be a system in place so that medication is administered. On school trips teachers are acting in loco parentis and have a duty of care. If medication and instructions have been handed in, the adults in charge should be making sure the children have it.

Your DS does need to tell a teacher he hasn't had his medicine, he is old enough to be aware that he needs it.

Original poster
waggawagga · 29/05/2017 23:58

That's what I've told him to do. Set an alarm, but they are in tents no electricity to charge a phone.
When he's at home he remembers, because he's not doing activities morning to night.

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Original poster
waggawagga · 29/05/2017 23:56

Thanks lobster.
Feeling ambushed here.

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NotBanksy · 29/05/2017 23:54

If he has his mobile with him he can set up twice daily reminders to go off.

avamiah · 29/05/2017 23:54

My daughter is 7 and if I tell her to remind a teacher of something then she will do it.
Why not text him back and tell him that he needs to take his medication and go and see the teacher .
Surely there is a emergency contact number for one of the teachers or somebody can contact her about this medication.
It's Italy not Antartica they are in.
Just make a call.

noblegiraffe · 29/05/2017 23:53

If he forgets to take them when he's at home, do you tell him off? Or is it your responsibility?

Original poster
waggawagga · 29/05/2017 23:52

I agree lace, the onus is on him and I've told him to go in the morning, it's just as well it's not life threatening.

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wheresthel1ght · 29/05/2017 23:52

Sorry but I think you are being ridiculous blaming the teacher. Your dd on is old enough to know he needs it and to go and find said teacher.

I take similar aged kids away with guides and I wouldn't expect to have to remind one of our girls.

lobsterface · 29/05/2017 23:50

He's a kid - if the school take them they need to have some sort of system to ensure their kids are taking their medication. The kids are in the care of their teachers right now.

What strange reactions from everyone. Sorry you're getting a ripping op - I'd think st tea and breakfast all pupils should be getting a "remember your medication" pep talk. What if it was asthma or similar?!

BritInUS1 · 29/05/2017 23:50

Your child is 13, I think he needs to take responsibility and ensure he finds the teacher to take his tablets when he is required to take them.

I think the teachers have enough to do without chasing this up

lacebell10 · 29/05/2017 23:46

Unless he has a learning difficulty or its life endagering, I'd say the onus was on him to remind the teacher. They've probably got a 101 things to do. He's managed to tell you so why not his teacher?

BertrandRussell · 29/05/2017 23:46

Has it flared up?

Original poster
waggawagga · 29/05/2017 23:44

Needs to take them... they are prescription medicines .... For his skin, the sun makes his condition flare up.

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doyouthinkso · 29/05/2017 23:38

Does he or does he not have a condition that needs treatment?

He "might" get hay fever so you've provided tablets just in case - if this, how would a teacher have failed in their "duty of care" ?? Bullshit

You hand in tablets so children and their friends dont overdose by accident or contra-indicate. Not so that a teacher can ask every 12 hours if they are suffering from their non serious occasional affliction which might or might not need treating (but obviously doesn't if the teenager doesn't mention it)

BertrandRussell · 29/05/2017 23:36

And are there any consequences for not taking it?

BertrandRussell · 29/05/2017 23:35

Does he need to take it strictly every day? If so, you might have a bit of a point.

If he just "sometimes" needs it, then you haven't got a point.

PlaymobilPirate · 29/05/2017 23:35

NEEDS to or just sometimes does?