8 year old carrying an Epipen at school? Is there an alternative?

[AndOutComeTheBoobs]

Ds has just been prescribed the adult epipen (was children's) because he's anaphylactic to 5 different foods.

We used to have 6 (and lucky to, I hear this is rare) 2 at home, 2 at school and 2 with the childminder.
Now there's a shortage and quite understandably we are only allowed two.

I'm perfectly happy (and would prefer) for DS to carry the epipens on him at all times.

However the school will only pass medicine between adults and won't allow this.

This gives huge scope for error.

It means going to the school office every morning and afternoon. This means I have to go in to drop DS rather than drop him outside.
It means the childminder has to go out of her way to collect the epipens despite having to collect several children from different parts of the school. It means her or I might for get on a Friday and he does the whole weekend without them.

Can I argue with the school that he should carry them on him? It's not like antibiotics or calpol, this is life saving and our situation has changed. Do I have any legs to stand on here?

Sorry forgot to add the child ones are now out of date as well as not being a big enough dose

I’d be surprised (as a teacher) if the school were ultimately able to enforce this, but you might have to argue strongly & spell out the potential repercussions quite bluntly.

There must be some legalities surrounding this?

Surely there is an exception for this sort of thing. Could you get a doctor's note? Are they concerned another child could get hold of it? Educating the children by holding an assembly, perhaps, would help.

I'm not sure. Now this has happened I'm going to have to ask for actual reasons and stand my ground a bit.

Perhaps they are worried because it contains a needle. That he or another child could inject someone.

Any chance school could order and be trained in adrenaline?
There’s a shortage of auto injector pens so as health professionals we aren’t allowed to order them any more, we have to order and draw up the drug.
I disagree with this but it is what it is.
Maybe school could do the same as a back up? Would require careful training.

Who has said he is only allowed two pens? I would be persevering with trying to get hold of more.

We have 4 for DS. Both the GP and pharmacist have tried to say he only needs two in total, but the recommended guidelines (and the advice of his consultant) are two pens for each setting. I have made phone call after phone call after phone call to make sure he has enough. It's so frustrating.

what would he carry them in / on?

and where are they kept now?

Just might help we work out a good solution. I have an child that carries a pen and know a little bit about medicines in schools (teeny bit, not proclaiming to be an expert)

Schools can buy one for use when a child's own pen is unavailable but its not supposed to be an alternative to them having their own. It might make them more comfortable with the situation though, knowing they have a back up.

www.allergylifestyle.com/shop/allergy-shop/epipen-cases/kids-case-for-epipen-auto-injectors/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIw7q8u7yR4gIVGeDtCh3mCwRPEAQYAiABEgLW3vD_BwE

Does he wear a medicalert bracelet? if not, get one asap

ValleyofHorses the school is epipen trained. I'm confused what you mean.

HoHolyCow there's a national shortage. As my OP said, we used to have 6.

Grasspiegons in a belt like a small bumbag worn under his clothes.

www.allergylifestyle.com/shop/allergy-shop/epipen-cases/holder-epipen-auto-injectors-deluxe-black/

At the school I work out the child is asked to have 2 in school, one in the office and one in the classroom. We don't allow children to keep any meds on their person.

or a bumbag he can wear?

We have three medialert bracelets.
I'm not sure how that makes a difference to this situation though?

COuld a letter frmo the GP sayig ti is essential he carries it help? Do the friends and other kids know how to inject it if they need to? HAve they been told what to do in case?

Could it be handed to his teacher, kept in the teachers draw then teacher hands it over to childminder? I can understand not letting him have it as other kids could easily break it or use it themselves even if ds is sensible

If his plan clearly states his epi-pen must be on his person the school are not allowed to go against it.

Eviledna, so in this situation where the child can only have two because of a national shortage, what is the answer?

Could it be handed to his teacher, kept in the teachers draw then teacher hands it over to childminder?

I don't think they would even do that. But it's an alternative I guess.
That's a lot of people I'm trusting not to forget on a Friday when I'm working.

Yes I think an official letter may be the way forward here.

In fact, he actually has an allergy appointment next month. So that's our best bet.

Watched this ages ago she says there is a new brand she recommends as it is bigger....i think maybe order from them?

You can buy more you know, you just have to pay for them. I have before, they’re about £50 but IMO if you can afford it it is a worthy price to pay. Where is the other one if one is at school and gets forgotten? I don’t think they will ever allow him to carry it and i know if he tempted to pop it on him too anyway but if he’s going into anaphylaxis he won’t be able to tell them it’s in there, unless he can administer himself? (Easier said than done though I’ve never managed to administer myself and I’m 30

DH just suggested buying some from another country.

Hmm...

X-posted. Where from Darkpassenger?

You can get two per prescription. I got two prescriptions. Might that be possible? At least then you could always have two at home, then two to pass between school and childminder?