Category (i) medicines

Definition

A non-prescription preparation (such as arnica cream, antiseptic liquid, insect bite treatment spray and so on) that is:

• not ingested
• used for the 'first aid' treatment of minor injuries; and
• provided by the service and kept in the first aid cabinet.

Authority required

A written authority from a parent given at enrolment to the use of specific preparations on their child for the period that they are enrolled. The service must provide (at enrolment, or whenever there is a change) specific information to parents about the category (i) preparations that will be used.

Category (ii) medicines

Definition

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

• used 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 Rongoa Māori (Māori plant medicines), that is prepared by other adults at the service.

Authority required

A written authority from a parent given at the beginning of each day the medicine is administered, detailing:

• what (name of medicine)
• how (method and dose), and
• when (time or specific symptoms/circumstances) medicine is to be given.

Category (iii) 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 required

A written authority from a parent given at enrolment as part of an individual health plan, or whenever there is a change, detailing:

• what (name of medicine)
• how (method and dose), and
• when (time or specific symptoms/circumstances) the medicine should be given.