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Minstrel
27-11-2013, 02:05 PM
I'M talking about calpol/ nurofen and prescription medicines. I'm happy to give them if required and we are allowed but can anyone give the definitive answers? I know everyone will have opinions on what they personally would do but I mean from an ofsted POV.

Thanks :)

kellyskidz!
27-11-2013, 02:34 PM
Yes if they're signed in, in proper packaging, in date, and child has taken the medication previously you are allowed to give it.
I know some cms choose not to for various reasons but you are allowed to do so

bunyip
27-11-2013, 02:53 PM
TBH if you want an Ofsted POV the only way is to call Ofsted.

AFAIK, Ofsted don't actually have a checklist of what can/cannot be given, except that aspirin is mentioned (EYFS Statutory Framework 3.43) as only being allowed when prescribed by a doctor. Btw this also applies to products containing aspirin. Also, some (not all) medical professionals advise against Nurofen/Ibuprofen; it does not contain aspirin, but mimics its effects in some ways.

EYFS and Ofsted guidance does not name any other specific medicines or products. Instead, they concentrate on the circumstances surrounding giving medication: consents; record-keeping; and that only "prescribed" medicines should be administered. Ofsted have been obliged to clarify what they mean by "prescribed". It does not necessarily mean (aspirin products excepted) "issued under prescription".

The latest guidance document was Giving medication to children in registered childcare - A childcare factsheet (document 080290, issued January 2013.) Please note this is no longer available as a download from Ofsted, which suggests it has been withdrawn, possibly pending a revised guidance paper - so keep checking the Ofsted site for anything new. (Or, as I most strongly advicse, phone Ofsted and ask.) Here's the guidance:-


Prescribe’ and ‘prescription’
The Statutory Framework states that ‘medicines must not usually be administered unless they have been prescribed for a child by a doctor, dentist, nurse or pharmacist’.
When we use the word ‘prescribe’ we mean medicine that is recommended.
When we use the word ‘prescription’ we mean written instructions from a doctor or dentist.
Most pharmacists cannot write prescriptions and can only prepare the medicine as instructed by a doctor or dentist. However, they can recommend (prescribe)
over-the-counter medicines such as teething gels, when children are teething, or painkillers, when children have a temperature.
Recent changes in the law mean that qualified nurse independent prescribers, and pharmacist independent prescribers, can prescribe any licensed medicine for any medical condition they have been trained to specialise in. For nurses, this includes some controlled drugs.
So, you can give medication that is recommended by a pharmacist or nurse without a written prescription, as well as any medication prescribed by a doctor, dentist or an appropriately qualified pharmacist or nurse.
Over-the-counter medication
The Statutory Framework allows you to give over-the-counter medication such as pain and fever relief or teething gel. However, you must get written permission beforehand from parents. And, you must follow the same recording procedures as those for prescribed medication.

Many CMs find the best way to confirm that a product has been suitably "recommended" or "prescribed" is to insist the parent brings the product, and that it must bear a pharmacy sticker printed with the child's name, date and purpose for which it was recommended. (Some pharmacies may balk at this faffiness, but give in when the parent explains it is needed for a CM or, more effectively, threatens to take their custom to the next chemist in the high street.)

It is also important to ensure that you know how to administer certain types of product, and may need to have undergone training to do so (eg. 'Epi-pen' auto-injectors and similar.) It is also worth checking your insurer's position on medicines, as well as Ofsted's.

Simona
27-11-2013, 03:59 PM
You are allowed to give medicine to children which is 'prescribed' to them and with parental permission
Each time you give it you get parents to countersign their medical form

Some children may need 'life saving' medication such as Epipen
In this case make sure you get trained to administer because each child is different (I have just done that)
Get 'clear guidelines' when to give it according to symptoms and get the parents to sign this as well

Other children may need inhalers all the time...others only in special circumstances
Some children may need other medication according to more severe conditions such as epiletic fits.
All is ok as long as you have clear instruction on administration

sarah707
27-11-2013, 07:20 PM
the medication factsheet has been removed from the Ofsted website which doesn't help you .. but I've found it here - http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/giving_medication_in_childcare.pdf.

It is quite clear what you can and cannot do. Hth :D

Minstrel
27-11-2013, 07:36 PM
Thank you all- would explain why I couldn't find the info I wanted earlier.

I have a solid policy in place which agrees with the ofsted guidance but I'm just struggling with putting it into practice.

I'm happy to have a child at the moment who has a heavy cold and sore throat- suggested to mum that she sends Calpol to ease his symptoms which she agreed would be a good idea but this isn't prescribed by a pharmacist, nurse or doctor and she can't really say 'give it to him if he needs it' because that doesn't follow guidance.

It's a minefield.

sing-low
27-11-2013, 08:05 PM
Thank you all- would explain why I couldn't find the info I wanted earlier.

I have a solid policy in place which agrees with the ofsted guidance but I'm just struggling with putting it into practice.

I'm happy to have a child at the moment who has a heavy cold and sore throat- suggested to mum that she sends Calpol to ease his symptoms which she agreed would be a good idea but this isn't prescribed by a pharmacist, nurse or doctor and she can't really say 'give it to him if he needs it' because that doesn't follow guidance.

It's a minefield.

Surely it will have been 'prescribed' (as per the Ofsted definition of prescribed) by the pharmacist that sold it?

Minstrel
27-11-2013, 08:10 PM
Maybe.

Is it just me who buys it in Sainsburys and keeps it 'just in case'.

(Talking about for my own dc not the mindees)

sing-low
27-11-2013, 08:12 PM
No, I do that too (also for my own kids, NOT mindees). So frustrating these rules, aren't they?

Simona
27-11-2013, 09:00 PM
Thank you all- would explain why I couldn't find the info I wanted earlier.

I have a solid policy in place which agrees with the ofsted guidance but I'm just struggling with putting it into practice.

I'm happy to have a child at the moment who has a heavy cold and sore throat- suggested to mum that she sends Calpol to ease his symptoms which she agreed would be a good idea but this isn't prescribed by a pharmacist, nurse or doctor and she can't really say 'give it to him if he needs it' because that doesn't follow guidance.

It's a minefield.

If you look at EYFS p22 (3.44) it states clearly 'medicine' (both prescription and non-prescription)
I would take the latter to mean those bought 'over the counter' such as Calpol and Nurofen which are never prescribed by a GP but purchased by parents.

3.43 also covers medicine that requires 'medical or technical' knowledge....I feel the guidance is pretty clear

Minstrel
27-11-2013, 09:36 PM
No I understand it and agree its clear but don't you find it hard to out I to practice or is it really just me????

What would you do in the above situation? Or when a mum leaves Calpol for teething 'in case it bothers them later'. Or a babe develops a temp through the day.., (this one I have given in the past as it got dangerously high).

Simona
27-11-2013, 10:06 PM
No I understand it and agree its clear but don't you find it hard to out I to practice or is it really just me????

What would you do in the above situation? Or when a mum leaves Calpol for teething 'in case it bothers them later'. Or a babe develops a temp through the day.., (this one I have given in the past as it got dangerously high).

If mum has warned you in the morning that the baby may have worries about his teething and you can give Calpol, which mum has provided for you, I would take that as 'authorisation'. Give the medicine if necessary then get mum to sign at pick up

if a parent provides you with Calpol for their children and you have it stored safely with their name on it...if you need to give it during the day for whatever reason I would call mum and tell her, so you have authority over the phone then again get the form signed at night.

To me that is all above board.
I keep children's own medicine stored away and well labelled and only use it for them... no one else.

I also have a child's Epipen but for that medicine I do not need authority if I needed to use it because I have had it previously in a different letter kept in the child's file.
As it is a 'life saving drug' I would just administer it without delay

Does that help?

Minstrel
27-11-2013, 10:28 PM
Yes! Thank you :) this is how I would do it and am happy to continue as it makes sense.

I don't usually stress like this but dye ofsted and at least once a week at the moment I doubt myself.

Simona
27-11-2013, 10:30 PM
Yes! Thank you :) this is how I would do it and am happy to continue as it makes sense.

I don't usually stress like this but dye ofsted and at least once a week at the moment I doubt myself.

You are doing well...stop doubting your judgement! :thumbsup:

Minstrel
28-11-2013, 07:45 PM
Thank you.

sing-low
30-11-2013, 08:48 PM
Yes! Thank you :) this is how I would do it and am happy to continue as it makes sense.

I don't usually stress like this but dye ofsted and at least once a week at the moment I doubt myself.

I was exactly the same just before OFSTED! I have calmed down considerably since the inspection.:)