Category (i) medicines #

Definition#

A prescription (such as antibiotics, eye or ear drops and so on) or non-prescription (such as paracetamol liquid, cough syrup and so on) medicine that is:

• issued for a specific period of time to treat a specific condition or symptom; and
• provided by a parent for the use of that child only or, in relation to rongoā Māori (Māori plant medicines), that is prepared by other adults at the service.

Authority and acknowledgment required (written or digital)#

Authorisation is provided from a parent at the beginning of the period medicine is intended to be administered, detailing:

• what (name of medicine);
• how (method and dose); and
• when (time or specific symptoms/circumstances).

The authorisation must be renewed if the period is extended or circumstances change. Each day the medicine is given, parents acknowledge this was administered to their child. Parental acknowledgement is recorded.

Category (ii) medicines #

Definition#

A prescription (such as asthma inhalers, epilepsy medication and so on) or non-prescription (such as antihistamine syrup, lanolin cream and so on) medicine that is:

• used for the ongoing treatment of a pre-diagnosed condition (such as asthma, epilepsy, allergic reaction, diabetes, eczema and so on); and
• provided by a parent for the use of that child only.

Authority and acknowledgment required (written or digital)#

Authorisation is provided from a parent at enrolment as part of an individual health plan detailing:

• what (name of medicine);
• how (method and dose); and
• when (time or specific symptoms or circumstances).

The authorisation to administer medicine is updated whenever there is a change. How often parents are asked to acknowledge their child received the medicine can be agreed between the service and the parents.