Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

Original poster

Immunosuppressed child and school residential

24 replies

Rainbowtrees · 07/07/2018 16:28

My daughter has her 5 night year 6 residential trip booked for the autumn term. Due to having a kidney condition she has recently started a drug called tacrolimus which is an immunosuppressant.
DD really wants to go but would it be unfair on the teachers to send her as she is susceptible to illness? The nearest hospital is 15 miles away, if she develops a fever or has d&v she will need to be assessed there.

OP posts:

Original poster

Rainbowtrees · 07/07/2018 16:29

Need to add the centre is over 4 hours away from home so it’s not a simple of case them calling me and waiting for me to take her.

OP posts:

PepperAndPops · 07/07/2018 16:30

Is there a way for her to go and you to stay somewhere nearby? Obviously depends on your circumstances but I would think that may help as if she got sick you would be around to collect her?

Blondephantom · 07/07/2018 16:38

It would be fair on the teachers. I am a teacher and would be happy to take the responsibility on so a child didn’t miss out. It would be considered before the trip and be part of the risk assessment. My only concerns would be you and your daughter. Would you be ok if she was in hospital and you weren’t there? Would she cope?

maskingtape · 07/07/2018 16:41

I've led quite a few residentials. I'm not sure this is a great idea.

The kids are naturally more grubby on residentials (minimal time for proper handwashing, showering etc, relying on strangers to mass cook food, the centres aren't always particularly clean, sleeping in close proximity to other kids who may have colds etc). If she does go make sure she takes hand gel and teachers have clear instructions of anything that needs doing for her to stay healthy.

TheIsland · 07/07/2018 16:44

I’ve led a lot of residentials. Depending on the school, we’ve either taken on extra staff to support a child (more expensive for school) or family member has stayed nearby (more expensive for parent).

I would talk to the school about it.

Original poster

Rainbowtrees · 07/07/2018 18:24

Thanks for all of the replies.

I really don’t fancy staying near by as I will just be waiting for her to fall ill and hopefully that won’t happen.
DD has a 1-1 at school (due to ASD/ADHD), so they won’t be short staffed if she does need to be seen at the hospital.
It will be hard if she does become unwell while away and I would of course drive straight over, I would hope one of the teachers would stay with her until my arrival but that’s something I would need to ask.

OP posts:

bobow · 07/07/2018 18:29

I am a teacher who has done lots of residentials. I would be happy to take your daughter. We always have spare staff in case of an emergency. My only condition would be that should she become unwell, I would expect you to come and collect her, but a member of staff would certainly stay with her until you arrived.

flapjackfairy · 07/07/2018 18:35

If she has one to one support then it is absolutely fine.
Let her go and experience it all. She deserves as normal a life as possible .

missymayhemsmum · 07/07/2018 18:35

If she has 1-1 in school will her 1-1 go on the residential? Is your only reservation about her going her physical health and being immunosupressed?

Teacherlikemisstrunchball · 07/07/2018 18:37

Teachers would not leave her alone at the hospital so please don’t worry about that! Someone would stay with her until you got there, and would do it uncomplainingly. I’ve had all sorts of stuff happen on residential trips and the teachers are very experienced in dealing with issues and medical needs etc.

NotAgainYoda · 07/07/2018 18:37

I've done residentials. Don't rule it out - there are several options to allow her to go, as people have said.

Sirzy · 07/07/2018 18:38

Does she want to go?

If so arrange a meeting with School ASAP to make a plan to make it possible and put your mind at ease.

lemony7 · 07/07/2018 18:43

By the Autumn term her body should have adjusted to the meds and/or changed meds so it’ll be hard to tell right now.

I’ve been on immune system suppressants (Aza) for 10yrs and whilst infection is a big risk it’s barely been a problem for me (or maybe I’m that good at avoiding them?).

Perhaps talk to the school and see what they advise? I doubt it’ll be their first experience of this; immune suppressants aren’t that rare anymore.

PitterPatterOfBigFeet · 07/07/2018 18:45

From your description it sounds fine. She has a 1-1 anyway and you would be there within 4 hours.

fruityb · 07/07/2018 18:49

I would take her but as someone else said it would be on the condition you would be there ASAP if anything happened (as I’m sure you would!)

We take someone as a one to one in these cases and if she already has one then job done.

Glumglowworm · 07/07/2018 18:49

She certainly wouldn’t be left alone at the hospital! They would call you to collect her but wouldn’t leave until you’d arrived.

Even an otherwise healthy child can end up in hospital at these things, most due to accidents but sudden illnesses are always a possibility. So the school should have sufficient staff and plans in place for if this happens.

Talk to them about your concerns. They will almost certainly want to work with you to help your DD attend safely

Original poster

Rainbowtrees · 07/07/2018 19:22

DD being immune supressed is my only real concern regarding the trip. DD wants to go, the staff know her well and she’ll enjoy the activities. The medication she’s taking is new to her and I’ve no real idea how she’ll cope with winter bugs etc. I could be panicking over nothing!

OP posts:

flapjackfairy · 07/07/2018 19:24

Well no one can blame you for that .Rainbow. it must be v hard to let her go and you are bound to be nervous .

YourDaughter · 07/07/2018 19:30

Why not go in and speak to the teacher leading the trip?
We had a lad who had type 1 diabetes (which isn’t fully controlled yet, his parents still get up regularly in the night to check his blood sugar) go on the schoo trip abroad. The teachers were aware and happy to do this. He did have a number of problems and needed hospitalisation for 48 hours whilst there. A teacher stayed with him throughout, WhatsApp and FaceTimed parents. Whilst stressful he didn’t mind in the least and they were prepared for worst case scenario.
Your dd’s school may not be happy, but they may also be prepared for this and have a number of plans to give you peace of mind. Work with them on this, it will be an experience your daughter will never forget

Armchairanarchist · 07/07/2018 19:34

My son goes into anaphylaxis. He went on a similar residential in the middle pf nowhere. School allowed him to go because there was a phone signal and we were told the air ambulance would come out if need be.

Original poster

Rainbowtrees · 07/07/2018 19:42

YourDaughter. I have been in communication with the school but I want to make sure that I’m not making an unreasonable request by expecting them to take her.

OP posts:

Joboy · 07/07/2018 19:56

I had a child with auto immune disease.
He went on normal school residential in year 6 with a wheelchair and a normal TA .
He did not have a one to one.
Year 7 week l9ng school trip to France he was injections that I had give. So i went too he stayed in my room .we were next to teachers . I had to a lot to go on trip some of teacher where a bit funny but other were ok.
Year 10 he was doing his injections him self so went on his own .
Had a great time in all trips .
The France one i was happy to pay for as i had never been . And I saw places I wanted to see.
If you are worried I go and stay with your child .

YourDaughter · 07/07/2018 20:27

If you are they won’t take her, believe me! They just need to be in possession of all the facts so they can make an informed decision. It enables them to cater best for her and the put your (and their) worries in perspective.
Schools are getting much better and providing kids with a variety of needs the option to go on school trips. Medical things are generally much more manageable as you can plan and assess for them.
I definitely don’t think YABU

Drummingisfun · 07/07/2018 20:33

Teacher here. I'd take her on UK residential no problem. I'd be a little more concerned about going abroad as it then becomes difficult for parents to collect.

Flip