Medicines and Parent Written Authority

1. A centre must record relevant information and training provided to adults for administering medicine, except if it is for their own (service provider or staff) children.

2. The following table outlines three categories of medicines, how they are used and the type of written authority required from parents.

Type	Method of Use	Parent Written Authority
Category 1 Non-prescription preparation, e.g. arnica cream, antiseptic liquid, and insect bite spray	Not ingested. Used for the ‘first aid’ treatment of minor injuries. Provided by the service and kept in the first aid cabinet	Given at enrolment for the use of specific preparations on their child for the period that they are enrolled. The centre provides (at enrolment, or whenever there is a change) specific information to parents about the Category 1 preparations that will be used
Category 2 Prescription medicine, e.g. antibiotics, eye/ear drops. Or non-prescription, e.g. paracetamol liquid, cough syrup	Ingested. Used for a specified period of time to treat a specific condition or symptom. Provided by a parent for the use of that child only. Or, in relation to Rongoa Mäori (Mäori plant medicines), that is prepared by other adults at the service.	Given at the beginning of each day the medicine is administered. Details include: what (name of medicine) How (method and dose) When medicine is to be given, i.e. time or specific symptoms/circumstances.
Category 3 Other prescription, e.g. asthma inhalers and epilepsy medication Or non-prescription e.g. antihistamine syrup and lanolin cream	Ingested or not. Used for the on-going treatment of a pre-diagnosed condition e.g. asthma, epilepsy, allergic reaction, diabetes, eczema. Provided by a parent for the use of that child only.	Given at enrolment as part of an individual health plan, or whenever there is a change. Details include: What (name of medicine) How (method and dose) When medicine is to be given, i.e. time or specific symptoms/ circumstances.

3. Medicines are stored safely and appropriately and are disposed of or sent home with a parent after a specified time.

4. A record is kept of all prescription and non-prescription medicine given to children that includes:

Name.
Medicine name and amount.
Date and time administered and by whom.
Evidence of parental acknowledgement.

5. Only a doctor or ambulance personnel can give prescription and non-prescription medicine to a child without written authority from a parent.