Nurse's Message

Dear Parents:
It has been customary over the years for the school nurse to administer over the counter medicationsuch as Panadol to your child/ward when he/she presents to the sick bay/health office with acomplaint of a symptom of a common illness.However, being guided by the Nursing Council of Jamaica and the Ministry of Education. The schoolnurse will no longer be able to give your child/ward any medication without the written order from a doctor.
With your child's health as priority we would like your assistance and cooperation in preparing forthe possibility that your child might become ill and must have medication while at school. We would like for you therefore to follow the new medication policy/guidelines:

• If your child/ward has a long-standing medical condition such as asthma, allergies, seizures,diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and other diseases for which he she takesprescription medication, then we would advise that as much as possible medications begiven at home. If, however the time falls within school hours, (for example when beinggiven three times daily), we ask that a set of medication for this illness be kept at school for.administration at the time specified and in the event of an emergency. Please be advisedthat the medication must be presented to the nurse in the pharmacy labelled containerwith no more than 2-3 doses being necessary to be left.
• If your child does not take prescription medication but suffers from frequent headaches,painful periods, sinusitis etc, and uses over the counter medications such as Histal,Cetamol/Panadol, Antacids (e.g. Dica etc.), Cetamol /Panadol cold and flu/ Multisymptomand others, then a standing order should be provided from your doctor to the school nurse.The nurse will keep this standing order on file and administer to the child when and if he/shefinds the need, based on the nurse's assessment.

Therefore, please download this note, show it to your doctor and take the prescriptions/standing order, in whenyou present your medical or at re-registration.
‍
Please remember that if your child is ill from home or in need of medical treatment, he/she shouldnot be sent to school.
‍
Please note that this change does not interfere with emergency medical treatment, but only thenurse will determine what an emergency is.If you have questions regarding this medication policy or other issues regarding the administrationof medication to your child/ward while at school please contact the school nurse or the principal.

Warmest regards,
Marcia P. Smith-Mitchell
School Nurse, RN