Administering and Storing Medicine Policy

Administering and Storing Medicine Policy

To ensure the safety of your child and to make sure the correct medication is given as and when needed it is important that the following policy is followed.

All medicines and medications i.e. creams, antibiotics, insulin, Epi-Pen etc. must be stored in the original container, that is labelled clearly with your child’s name and the correct dosage must be detailed on the container.

All medicines (apart from asthma inhalers and Epi-pens) will be stored safely in a locked cupboard so that children cannot access them. If items need to be stored in the fridge they will need to be placed in a separate container and placed in the fridge away from food items.

Asthma inhalers will be kept nearby, so they can be reached quickly if a child needs it. I will need to make sure these are stored out of reach of children.

Epi pens will be kept close by, either on the kitchen side (away from the reach of children) or in the room that the child is in.

I will have a Medication Folder with a section for each child; this will need to be completed for your child and it will list all the medicines you permit me to give to your child. It will be regularly reviewed to ensure that there are no changes, for example a child may no longer be able to take some medication or may need an additional form. This card must also be used for short and long-term medication such as eczema cream or an asthma pump.

Administration of medication;

It is vital that I have written permission from parents or carers for the administration of prescription medication as well as non-prescription medications. New permission is required each time a new medication is given. Please see the consent forms attached.

Prescription medicines must not and will not be given unless prescribed by a doctor, dentist, nurse or pharmacist.

I will ensure I have the appropriate training by a trained health care professional if a medication requires technical or medical knowledge – i.e. an epi pen.

I will only administer the dosage on the medication container.

I will make sure the spoon, syringe or any other equipment for administering medication is washed thoroughly and the equipment is placed back out of reach. The medication will then be returned to the same container in a secure storage place as soon as it has been administered.

Record keeping in relation to medication;

I will ensure I have a book with a section for each child in my care – this is so I can detail each time medication is given.

I will record any problems that arise when giving the medication to the child. For example; if the medication was refused by the child, or spat out, or was sick shortly afterwards. I will then make sure you are aware of what has happened.

I will record any course of medication in my Medication Folder and will ask that this is signed at the end of the course. If your child needs; cough mixture, calpol, teething gel etc. I am happy to give your child these but they must be provided by you – again I will record this and will ask that it is signed frequently.