To think this schools policy on prescribed medicines is wrong?

[ForrinForrinerFromForrinLand]

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.

[Sirzy]

That is all I have been saying (perhaps badly) altkin.

With children with asthma (and I assume other medical conditions) it is so helpful for the child to learn to manage it from a young age - with support and prompts of course. A child of school age is soon going to be invited to friends houses to play and to parties and things so getting that little bit of "independent" control is useful for them to be able to carry on as normal without being held back by their asthma.

[ForrinForrinerFromForrinLand]

Sorry meant to say some posters have children with severe asthma. I don't think it's been helpful making sweeping comments about the needs of a 4yr old asthmatic without knowing about this childs needs/ condition in particular.

[ForrinForrinerFromForrinLand]

Altinkum thank you. As I keep saying at 4 DN is a young 4 iykwim. His speech isn't particularly clear and unless you knew him well he'd be hard to understand. I completely understand that some posters here have ch

[Sirzy]

Like I said that is why I would link it to lunch time, most 4 year olds can understand to have lunch then ask for it or ask as he goes to pick up his lunch box - even if at first mum needs to put a picture of his inhaler on the lunch box to remind him!

School should do it but if they can find a way to make it part of the routine all around then that has to be best for everyone!

[SilverApples]

School nurses are usually fantastic at getting teaching staff to see the reality of what needs to be done and the potentially fatal consequences if not.

[SilverApples]

He needs an individual care plan so that the responsibility for his welfare lies with a named adult. IMO, the school is being negligent, he needs medication to be supported and supervised until he is ready to self-medicate independently.
So, meeting with SENCO can be arranged through the school, your sister can contact the school nurse independently, ask for her support and she can train the relevant staff 9(CT, TA and a MDS as a minimum) To ensure that they are aware of the signs and can be pro-active about his safety and care.
The current state of affairs isn't OK, or acceptable. Someone needs to be pointing this out firmly and clearly to the management and the CT.

[Sirzy]

But you are trying to encourage that understanding even though he has additional needs. From what the op has said they don't seem to even be doing that with him (of course that may not be the case)

[Sirzy]

I have plenty of knowledge which is exactly why I think is important for the child to understand his condition as much as possible as well as for the parents to work with the school to come up with a proper action plan. So far it sounds like its been something mentioned in passing rather than arranging specific meetings to sort if out.

[NewNameforNewTerm]

Of course we learn something every day Brian, what an odd statement! I didn't understand the complex medical condition one of my new class has, but the mum didn't assume I would because despite needing frequently blood tests throughout the day and action from the results it is not basic diabetes. But if teachers have a clear care plan they do understand. My point was that it may be a communication breakdown both ways, not just teachers being ignorant!

[Sirzy]

Forrin - DS knows he needs his inhalers when he wakes up and before he goes to bed. When he is having them at dinner he knows he needs to take them at dinner time. That sort of routine really shouldn't be hard for a child without special needs to understand, especially not one with such severe asthma.

I am not saying the school shouldn't help not at all but surely it is in the child's best interest to ensure they are fully aware of the condition and take some sort of "control" of it from as young as possible?

[BrianTheMole]

But then I've never had a child that need it every four hours like the OPs Niece/Nephew.

You learn something new every day then. Like if I don't take my becotide inhaler every four hours, then I will end up in hospital. Not every case of asthma is dealt with in the same way.

[NewNameforNewTerm]

At least he's recognising he's in need asking for something Altinkum . When you share that story hopefully it will alert people he needs his inhalers. He'll get there.

I had a pupil with ASD that used to tell me he needed banana bread ... this meant he felt the symptoms he often had before an epileptic fit, nothing to do with cake! We knew this so could move him to a safe place (although he frequently didn't fit then, but better safe ...)

[NCFail]

Ask to see their medicines policy - they have to have one.

Read the DfE policy on this and contact the school nurse.

I had to do exactly this, for exactly the same reason in reception... The school nurse and asthma nurse worked together to change the regime so it was given outside of school.

Schools should give medications but its variable.

[Goofymum]

You really need to get a care plan in place with your surgery's practice nurse, or the local asthma nurse, since this is a chronic condition that needs regular medication. At my DD's school they make a big deal about care plans and they're updated every year by our asthma and allergy nurse. With something this important you can't expect kids that sgd to remember to keep taking their medication whether they are able to self medicate or not. But do make it official otherwise it won't get done.

[PeppiNephrine]

My son is only a year older knows to ask for his meds if he isn't given them. You can easily train a four year old to respond to a watch alarm. Hell you can get a puppy to do it, it should be easy for a child!

[NewNameforNewTerm]

Maybe this is a breakdown in communication. School asking for an inhaler to give when they recognise the child is wheezy, before PE, etc. without knowing it to be treated as regular interval medication, not as needed occasional emergency relief medication. Bearing in mind this is probably at least third hand information (not OP's child, but DN) it may not be as simple as school won't give inhalers. There is nothing in OP about school refusing to give the medication, in fact that actually asked for it.

When a child needs their inhaler I hold it and they hold their spacer. I press the dosage and the child breathes. This is until they have long enough arms and the coordination to press the puffer themselves with me there just counting their breaths. Sometimes I'll hear a child that needs their inhaler or know it is PE or cold or damp so they'll need it before playtime, but much of the time I do rely on children telling me they need it, their chest feels funny, etc. But then I've never had a child that need it every four hours like the OPs Niece/Nephew.

[ForrinForrinerFromForrinLand]

sirzy but he's not struggling to breath is he, he needs regular dosage of his medication at 4hr intervals. Tell me does your 3yr old know how to tell the time? So he would be capable of alerting an adult when his meds are due?

[StayAwayFromTheEdge]

SIrzy - he is 4 years old. Yes he does need to learn, but he has to be supported to do that and it will take time. The frightening thing is that teachers don't seem to realise just how serious asthma can be.

Hospital admissions for childhood asthma are incredibly high and many could be prevented with proper treatment.

My DS is 4. He missed reception this year by one week. There is no way he could manage his condition himself yet, and I am highly trained in asthma management.