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Original poster

Son comes back from school trip with fracture

341 replies

debsadoos123 · 23/02/2020 00:06

Hi, first time poster, please be kind. I picked my 14 year old DS up from school at 4pm today after he'd been away for a week skiing. When I got to him he had a makeshift bandage on his wrist and the teacher explained that someone had fallen into him yesterday morning and that my DS complained of extreme pain in his wrist. The said teacher went on to explain that they didn't seek medical attention because if it was broken then my DS wouldn't be able to fly home. They had taken him to a chemist and purchased a bandage and applied it.
By the time we had got home (10 min drive) my son was crying in pain so we went straight to A&E... Long story short, he has fractured a bone in his wrist. He is now in plaster and we have to return in 10 days for a bone scan.
Would I be unreasonable to make a complaint to school about their lack of action and failing to provide a duty of care?

OP posts:
GreenTulips · 24/02/2020 23:57

Do you not think the head and staff will be having meetings and discussing what happened and filling out paperwork and contacting higher departments etc as well as teaching lessons?

I’m sure they’ll call back when they’ve had chance to discuss what happened and why decisions were made.

Plus it won’t change the current outcome will it?

lyralalala · 25/02/2020 01:02

The Head should have phoned to acknowledge the OP’s complaint and let her know it’s being looked into

That’s basic common sense and manners

DecemberSnow · 25/02/2020 01:22

Regardless if he could or couldn't fly, This isn't the issue

The issue is,

  1. They didn't inform you
  2. They didn't get him medical care when he needed it

I would complain and see a solicitor personally

ShriekingBansheela · 25/02/2020 05:32

I would complain and see a solicitor personally

What would you want or expect the solicitor to do?

ZigZagIntoTheBlue · 25/02/2020 10:20

I hope they've seen you this morning!

AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 25/02/2020 13:24

Since when were people unable to fly with a fracture? I flew back from France with my leg in a full length plaster cast after a skiing accident once!

StarUtopia · 25/02/2020 13:30

They haven't followed procedures well at all.

I would seek further advice/information.

I highly doubt it will have caused any long term implications - a bust wrist is pretty minor in the grand scheme of things. But they should have rung you to discuss first. Personally I would have just said, fly them home and I will take to A&E here if not desperate.

But the fact they just chose to do that is the issue. Not their call.

helpfulperson · 25/02/2020 13:56

Whether or not you can fly with a broken arm is a side issue and I would suggest you dont get drawn into discussions on this with the school.

What the school should have done is gone to the hospital for treatment/advice then once they knew the options contacted you to discuss what you wanted to do and the insurance company to see what was possible.

In my years managing schools trips we have had someone hospitalised the morning of the return flight so a member of staff stayed in the country for 24 hrs while the parents flew out. We have also had someone who was confirmed with a broken arm the day of the flight and the doctor gave them a sling and notes to be taken to A&E. Mum meet them at the airport.

And various other incidents. In all cases medical advice was sought and plans made following that. That is what your school should have done.

GnomeDePlume · 25/02/2020 15:28

helpfulperson I totally agree. This is not about whether or not the lad could fly. It is all about failing to seek proper medical attention and failing to inform parents.

I am guessing that they are desperately trying to put a positive spin on this/somehow make it the lad's fault.

Mummytoonlychild · 25/02/2020 18:51

@debsadoos123 any news from the school

ArthurDentsSpaceTowel · 26/02/2020 23:51

Clearly not Mummy. The OP's life is not entertainment and she may have her reasons for withdrawing from the thread but I must confess to feeling miffeddisappointed. 😶

Stressedout10 · 05/03/2020 18:46

@debsadoos123
Hope everything went ok with your ds scan and hes on the mend now

Original poster
debsadoos123 · 06/03/2020 13:00

Hi, scan has confirmed the fracture... No other damage seen thank goodness. Thank you stressedout10. X

OP posts:
WeAllHaveWings · 06/03/2020 13:18

Did you get a satisfactory response from the school? I would be fuming with this.

The least they could have done is taken him to the local A&E, if they explained the situation it us likely they would have put him in a temporary removable splint and sling which he could have flown with (as there would be no risk of swelling in a constrained cast) and some proper pain relief.

They had no concern for your ds. He should have been at A&E for an xray to ensure there was no serious damage that needed immediate attention and for a temporary solution until he got home.

speakball · 06/03/2020 13:23

Ds fell and broke his wrist. AandE x-rayed but said they couldn't see a break so sent us home with just a sling. the next day we had a call from the hospital to say a more senior Dr had reviewed the x-rays from the day before and could see a break so we went back. No harm done by it not being cast the day before.

OhLookHeKickedTheBall · 06/03/2020 15:48

I'm glad the scan ruled out anything else. Fingers crossed DS heals well and quickly.

Also hope the school dealt with it satisfactorily

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