Do many schools give medicine if they're asked?

[IwishIwasmoreorganised]

Only asking because I rang to see if ds's school would because he's getting over a cold and desperate to go for his nativity tomorrow after having 2 days off. I think he'll be fine, but a prophylacitc dose of calpol will do him wonders at lunchtime (psychologically as well as physically!)

I was amazed to hear that they will providing I fill in a form when I drop him off in the morning.

Think it is only prescribed medication at the school I work at. This includes things like antibiotics, inhalers, regular allergy medication, diabetic blood tests/insulin, etc. Parents have to fill in a firm which is stored in the office. The office dispenses things like temp antibiotics. Teaching staff or TAs deal with the daily meds.

Mrz thankyou for that guidence info very useful. Can I just ask does your school/ do you accept every 4-6 hours as 4 times a day or do you have to have a bottle that says 4 times a day?? Just so I know before hand!!

We have to have a pharmacy labelled bottle showing the child's name and the dosage it is to prevent accidental "overdose" or risk of wrong child getting the medicine
www.dcsf.gov.uk/everychildmatters/research/publications/surestartpublications/1454/
I have a child in my class today with an ear infection who has been prescribed 5 different types of medicine so the designated person (first aider) has spent most of the day in my room

Our school does prescribed medications in original bottles, plus you have to fill in a form giving consent. Emergency medications are covered by a plan written by the schools nurse (nurse for schools in our area, school doesn't have its own).

This is a complete godsend to us - ds1 has re-occurent and nasty (secondary) ear infections all winter long and would hardly be in school if they wouldn't give him antibiotics at lunchtime. It wouldn't work giving him a dose after school unless we were then prepared to wake him at 11pm for his final dose.

School discresion (sp) here - normally have to be prescribed and have dosage on the front, then we have to fill am form in. Though my DS (then 7) was ill (and he gets really crap man flu !!!) last year and they agreed to give him a beechams type tablet at lunch time - for his and the teachers sake !! Luckily for me he swallows tablets no hassle ....

Just had a read of the link from Mrz. I'm trying to establish if there is a difference between:

1. every 4-6 hours as required

and

2. 4 times a day.

If a child is given a perscription and parent is left to determine when its needed regualary and when sporadically, month to month, would 2 different perscriptions of the same medicine be needed?

mumbar if a child had a chronic condition that required on going medication a care plan would be drawn up by parents, the school and either the doctor/paediatrician or a nurse. Diabetes/anaphylaxis usually involves the school working with a specialist nurse for example whereas antibiotics usually would require the parents to provide a labelled container with correct dosage and them signing a form detailing when medicine needs to be given (usually a single dose at lunchtime either before or after food)

Hey Pixie, hows DD? and the rest of the family?

Actually I asked because DS has a bottle that says 4-6 hours as required, but needs it 4 times a day regulary atm - which is basically the same thing!! School is arguing he needs a seperate bottle stating this, can't just update the form he has already giving permission for it to be administered in an emergency to him having it daily at 12 noon.

Basically they want to hold one bottle for emergencies, and the same medicine to give him a lunchtime dose. . School says every 4-6 hours is not 4 times a day. . They will only give it when the bottle says 4 times a day.

I just couldn't work it out and wondered if it was me being a PITA.

He is on it daily atm after his really bad reaction the other week, whilst GP waiting for pead cons advice.

Sorry bit of a hijack

Glad to hear shes slowly progressing.

Glad its not me thinking its the same thing and the same medicine. . Even GP when I rang and asked for another perscription was a little confused but gave it as DS needs it.

Just got to wait to see if epi-pen is going to be prescribed now. GP thinks he should have one but is rightfully being cautious.

Not glad its slow . Glad shes on the mend, albiet slowly.

Stewie,
Most mainstream schools will not adminster insulin, it's actually a huge problem for young children and the main reason why in this country the majority of young children with Type 1 diabetes have to use mixed insulins (which only require taking morning and evening) rather than what's called the basal-bolus regime which is much better for overall bolld sugar control but requires an injection with every meal, ie at lunchtime.

Most schools will insist that a parent or carer comes into the school to administer an injection, which of course isn't hugely practical if you either have to work or have younger childre.

At the school I teach in we will administer any prescribed medication, in its original container (labelled with child's name, date of prescription, dose and frequency) if we have parental consent to do so. Long-term medication/medical procedures that need doing (evaucation of tracheostomy tube, insulin injections, epipen, Ritalin tablets etc.) are also done by trained staff. Children who are older enough to administer their own insulin injections do it themselves.

A child who needs Calpol at lunchtime shouldn't really be at school but if you're going along to the nativity too, there's nothing to stop you giving your child a dose....