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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think this schools policy on prescribed medicines is wrong?

134 replies

ForrinForrinerFromForrinLand · 10/10/2013 18:24

I just wondered weather there is a standard rule about this for all primary schools?

DN has just started school in. He suffers from severe asthma, its especially bad in winter months to the point where he has hospital stays monthly. His school initially requested that an inhaler was taken in. However after a little probing it seems they haven't been giving it to him. He's very wheezy. When asked the teacher responded by saying that he didn't request it. They expected a 4 yr old to prompt them every 4 hours for an inhaler! And now the school is saying they won't be responsible for ensuring the inhaler is regularly given to DN.

Now I'm a little shocked as I assumed schools had a duty of care. And certainly had to have plans in place for children who needed prescribed medication during the school day.

OP posts:
Spirulina · 10/10/2013 18:26

huge class sizes and little time....how can they tailor themselves to the care of one child? also,has he had attacks at school? has he been hospitalised from school?

I thought inhalers were only given as required

ChestyCoffin · 10/10/2013 18:28

Sounds common.

Friend is having issues with 4 year old DGS, newly diagnosed diabetes but school won't check his glucose levels Hmm

Trapper · 10/10/2013 18:29

That alarming. Do children on regular medication have to be home schooled then?

notanyanymore · 10/10/2013 18:32

But the children are in their care, and therefore it is their responsibility to ensure their safety. People die of asthma and diabetes. These medicines form part of the basic care for these children.

Original poster
ForrinForrinerFromForrinLand · 10/10/2013 18:32

So huge class sizes and little time means that a child with a serious medical condition is simply forgotten about. Hmm
I'm not asking for special treatment for a PFB I can assure you of that. No, he hasn't had any attacks at school, yet. But it doesn't fill you with confidence if they're not willing to administer an inhaler!

OP posts:
Sirzy · 10/10/2013 18:33

What have the parents asked?

DS has severe asthma and is currently at the pre-school attached to the school he will go to next year. I have given the school full written instructions, talked to all of the staff involved with him about specific signs and symptoms for him and exactly what is needed when a problem.

I don't think just sending an inhaler in and then expecting school to know when to give is fair.

Spirulina · 10/10/2013 18:33

some schools don't put sunscreen or plasters on!

Sirzy · 10/10/2013 18:34

And I don't think expecting a child with severe asthma to be able to ask for their inhaler is asking a lot. DS is only 3 but because of the severity he knows when he needs it and will ask

Original poster
ForrinForrinerFromForrinLand · 10/10/2013 18:34

Trapper that's what I was thinking.

What other option do you have if the school isn't taking a medical condition seriously?!

OP posts:
Spirulina · 10/10/2013 18:35

serious medical condition? so what if half the class have something which needs medication?how are the teachers supposed to teach? he knows how to administer it himself?

think chools are damned if they do and damned if they dont

teacherandguideleader · 10/10/2013 18:35

Don't know about primary but that isn't the case at my secondary. Some children have lunch etc at different times due to medical needs. Sounds wrong to me.

teacherandguideleader · 10/10/2013 18:37

We employ someone whose job is to ensure these things happen, it is not the teacher's responsibility.

Original poster
ForrinForrinerFromForrinLand · 10/10/2013 18:38

sirzy we'll have to disagree on that one. I think all children are different, I certainly wouldn't expect a 3yr old to manage their dosage.

They've requested a meeting with the head. The school didn't just as for inhalers to be sent in. There were forms to fill in regarding usage.

OP posts:
Morgause · 10/10/2013 18:39

DC1 had chronic asthma and I used to have him home for dinners until I was sure he would remember to take his inhaler at school. That way I knew he had taken it and was able to make sure he had used it properly.

From the age of 4 he was able to tell teachers if he needed his ventolin inhaler.

Teachers cannot be expected to be responsible for the health needs of all the children in their classes.

ChestyCoffin · 10/10/2013 18:39

spirulina inhalers aren't only when required, there's lots of different regimes.

Bring back the school nurse!

Iwaswatchingthat · 10/10/2013 18:40

His parents probably need to be more explicit about when he needs it - like asking them to give him a certain number of puffs of it it before lunch.

They will need to sign when it has been administered and do the time - he needs a list with a date and time column for the staff to initial.

If he needs it once in the school day then the school will only have to give it once. The parents/childcare could do the before and after school ones.

Original poster
ForrinForrinerFromForrinLand · 10/10/2013 18:40

spirulina are you delibarately trying to be obtuse?

OP posts:
breatheslowly · 10/10/2013 18:40

Does he just need it every few hours or does it depend on how he is?

Spirulina · 10/10/2013 18:41

ok,so what is his regime op?

uselessinformation · 10/10/2013 18:42

The school should put a plan in place for dealing with a child with a chronic condition. You need to meet with the school and draw up a written plan with the names of the staff responsible for carrying out the plan. Those staff need to be trained by you and an asthma nurse. In fact you could ask your asthma nurse what has happened in other schools. Apart from the particular trained staff, all other staff need to know what to do in an emergency.

Sirzy · 10/10/2013 18:42

Asking for their inhaler isn't managing the dose though. I think it is vital for children with chronic health conditions to understand when they need treatment - they are the one who knows before others when they are feeling rubbish.

It sounds like it has been badly handled all around. If it is that serious surely the parents would have had a meeting well before he started to ensure that they were confident in him being cared for?

Spirulina · 10/10/2013 18:42

*ForrinForrinerFromForrinLand Thu 10-Oct-13 18:40:19

spirulina are you delibarately trying to be obtuse?*

where?

Original poster
ForrinForrinerFromForrinLand · 10/10/2013 18:42

He needs to take it every 4hrs. Daily.

OP posts:
Sirzy · 10/10/2013 18:43

So why didnt the parents sort that before he started? I am really struggling to understand that side of things.

Morgause · 10/10/2013 18:44

That's why I had my DC home for his dinner. Inhaler at 8.30 am then 12.30 pm while home for his dinner. Then again after school.