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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

School refusing to give antibiotics

539 replies

Slayerofmyth · 21/04/2021 18:14

My daughter has warts on her arm that have become infected. She has been prescribed antibiotics four times a day in liquid form that have to be kept in fridge. She has one dose upon wakening but needs 2 more doses throughout school day. I work so can't get to school to give it, theres no one else. School are refusing to give it, I've said I'll keep her off then so I can administer ( taking time off work,), they say I'll get a fine for absence. What the heck am I supposed to do? Please advise.

OP posts:
GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 21/04/2021 18:16

If there isn’t anyone else who can go in and administer it (is her dad about?), you’ll have to call her in sick I guess!

rainbowthoughts · 21/04/2021 18:18

Who would look after her if you kept her off? Can't they go in to give her the meds?

rainbowthoughts · 21/04/2021 18:18

Oh sorry, I needed you would take time off. I guess that's your only real solution then.

Soubriquet · 21/04/2021 18:19

Seems daft when they give other medication like inhalers when needed

Sirzy · 21/04/2021 18:20

Check the schools medicine policy.

Schools don’t need to give short term medications though, with a 4 times a day antibiotic they would ideally agree to give it once during the day but not twice and it could be given after school and at bedtimes

ColinSupporter · 21/04/2021 18:20

Do they have to be exactly evenly spaced? So could you do morning, pickup time, just after dinner and before you go to bed?

Or, if you can take the time off to keep her home, take the time off but send her in to school then go in to administer yourself. Presumably it’s only for a couple of days anyway?

alexdgr8 · 21/04/2021 18:20

do they say why they won't administer it.
could she come home for lunch, ie go to some other relative's home or a childminder for lunch.
then she could be given one dose there, another at about 4pm and 8pm.
what age is she.

notagainmummy · 21/04/2021 18:21

the school must have a policy. Check what this is. Plenty of children need medications.

alexdgr8 · 21/04/2021 18:21

or have a relative, or trusted person to go in to school at lunch-time.

RockingMyFiftiesNot · 21/04/2021 18:22

Who picks her up from school? She could have the 3rd one then. Are you able to get to school during your lunch break to administer the 2nd dose (perhaps your employer would be happy to accommodate a little longer rather than risk you take time off)?

I'd also Speak to a pharmacist who might be able to advise on dosage options.

ChrissyHynde · 21/04/2021 18:23

Does school not have a form you can complete which effectively gives them permission to administer meds on your behalf? Confirms type of meds, storage, dose, times etc

Flowerlane · 21/04/2021 18:24

What’s the school policy for giving medication is it a complete no to all?
The schools we have attended have always been only medication prescribed by a doctor. No calpol for example as not doctor prescribed. A form had to be completed each day for medication to be given. Never had a problem in any school my kids have attended.

If your child needs medication and the school are not willing to help and she definitely needs it in school time then removing her is the only option. I would make sure you had in writing that they are refusing to give medication so that if you do get a fine you have evidence.

Original poster
Slayerofmyth · 21/04/2021 18:24

I have no one, her dad is in prison. I work 9.00 til 5.30. If she's off ill I have to leave her with her nanna who has dementia. I have no choice. I don't drive, I work far from the school.

OP posts:
Original poster
Slayerofmyth · 21/04/2021 18:27

She goes to breakfast and after-school club, so.is in school from 8.00am to 6 pm. She's 10.

OP posts:
Elieza · 21/04/2021 18:27

Can you do them at 8.30am, 12.30pm, 4.30pm, and 8.30pm.

That way you can do before and after school meds at home, and she only needs one medicine a day administered by the school. Would they be up for doing just the 12.30pm one?

If not as a pp said I’d take the time off work myself or change my shifts if possible to go into school and medicate her at lunchtime while not keeping her off school so complying with the rules.

Prestissimo · 21/04/2021 18:27

GP here. What medication is it OP? If it’s Erythromycin you can usually give two (double) doses instead of four doses daily. Worth discussing with a pharmacist as suggested above.

Elieza · 21/04/2021 18:27

Cross post. I see your post about timings.

Original poster
Slayerofmyth · 21/04/2021 18:28

The school policy is to only give medication for long term illness, like asthma etc. She is on these antibiotics for 10 days.

OP posts:
noblegiraffe · 21/04/2021 18:28

If you can take time off work then I think they’d expect you to send her into school and then come in at lunch to administer rather than keep her off the whole time just to give her medicine.

Original poster
Slayerofmyth · 21/04/2021 18:29

Flucloxacillen four times a day

OP posts:
MildredPuppy · 21/04/2021 18:29

Can the after school club give it?
I am having a dense moment and cant work out tge timings for 4 doses!

MixedUpFiles · 21/04/2021 18:30

Is the problem that they can’t do the dose during after school club? I hate to say it, but I would shift the timing so that they can do both doses during the official school day even if it means you have to do a dose during normal sleeping hours.

SuperMonkeys · 21/04/2021 18:30

Ridiculous. We give antibiotics as and when required as long as parents have signed permission.

Sirzy · 21/04/2021 18:30

At 10 can you ask for the medication in tablet form? That may be easier for school to manage.

QuitMoaning · 21/04/2021 18:31

If she is 10 can’t she self administer or am I missing something?

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