To think that the teacher who left the child to die

[Fruitysunshine]

I have pondered over this story since it broke and my heart goes out to the parents over the loss of their son, his death being so avoidable.

Am I being unreasonable in thinking that the teacher who neglected to help this young lad dying from an asthma attack should be charged with manslaughter in one form or another?

It is not a case of asking a stranger for help but more the issue that the school had a duty of care towards the lad and by refusing to assist him in an emergency after being asked by pupils, she directly contributed towards his death.

Is that unreasonable or am I getting too emotive about this?

Link please.

news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Asthma-Attack-Victim-Samuel-Linton-Was-Neglected-By-His-Teachers-W ho-Failed-To-Call-An-Ambulance/Article/201003315575948?lpos=UKNewsCarouselRegion3&lid=ARTICLE15 575948AsthmaAttackVictimSamuelLintonWasNeglectedByHisTeachersWhoFailedToCallAn_Ambula nce

Sorry, I can never get this linking right!

Some school children interrupted a meeting to tell a teacher that this lad was ill in the corridor and she told them to go away and he would "have to wait".

I was reading it on another site last night also. Will try and locate that too.

I don't think she left him to die - the problem is she clearly didn't know how serious asthma can be.

It's a very sad case, but I don't think manslaughter would be appropriate. It made me glad to be out of teaching actually, becausee there but for the grace of God go many of us.

She is a teacher, not a doctor or a nurse, and probably not even first aid trained. Teachers cannot be expected to undertake medical care for children as well as teach them.

I know that sounds harsh, but if you think of the practicalities of the situation, that is how it is.

The school maybe should review its medical procedure policy, as I heard it was going to, but even then, I doubt the teacher would be expected to do anything different.

But I know it is a very sad and frightening case, especially for parents of children with asthma (myself included).

Oh that is dreadful.

I remember years ago when I was sent to pick up dd (9 or 10 at the time) because she had an ear infection. When I arrived at the school the secretary told me in a loud voice that she didn't think dd was ill at all because she'd heard her chatting away when she entered the medical room. Later I asked dd (who did have an ear infection) what that was all about. 'Oh, there was this girl in there who was having an asthma attack and she was terrified and couldn't breathe, and all adults just walked out and left her, so I felt I had to keep talking to calm her down.'

Not as bad as the article, but still gives food for thought.

Fab, I was saying this to DH, that a lot of people mistake asthma for a mild illness.

The trouble is, that IMO, as a teacher - you should be aware of such issues. I don't think she should have been expected to medically care for a child, but they are responsible for the children while they are at school and I think it makes sense for a teacher to at least know that asthma is dangerous and that it needs attention. I don't think that is asking too much.

I can't believe that a teacher, upon getting a report from other students of an ill student in the hallway, wouldn't have the common sense to go check on them and assess the situation, regardless of a meeting. A complete lack of common sense IMO. Yes, I do believe in this instance the teacher should also be punished in some way, and if they show that little regard for the health and safety of students, then this person shouldn't be teaching.

Thats very sad,that poor boy & his family,I agree that the teacher should have at least gone to look at the ill child.

YANBU I think this is appalling. The teacher's response 'I was in after school mode' FFS

surely there has to be someone in the school who is first aid trained?

I was appalled and astounded when I heard this story.

As that story says, even if she wasn't first aid trained, surely common sense tells you that if a child is struggling to breathe, well then it's an emergency? How anyone can not know that, I do not know.

But don't the school have a duty of care? If a child interrupted a meeting to say there is another child in the corridor struggling to breathe surely common sense would tell anyone to react, regardless of the fact they are not a nurser or doctor? That is why you would call the ambulance...

If am employee dies in the care of their employer and neglect is suspected then corporate manslaughter comes into play....what is the difference?

How awful, and yes, it does make you think that teachers need to be more informed....but she didn't "leave him to die" did she? She just didn't know he was dying.

Completely agree Triggles. She knew he has asthma. Most people are aware how dangerous asthma can be. Surely to God the fact that he was still struggling to breathe must have flashed warning bells. The whole 'he'll just have to wait' smacks of damned arrogance.

This really does make me so incredibly sad and angry.

A boy died at the school I used to teach at from an asthma attack.

His parents were phoned straight away and they said they would come in and take him to the doctors themselves. Which they did, but it was too late and he died at the GPs.

It was horrifying to think that by calling an ambulance straight away this could have been prevented. I don't think the staff dealing with it or indeed the parents understood the seriousness of this attack. I should stress though he most definately wasn't left in a corridor, or left at all.

I really hope that this does get widely publisised and a lot of lessons are learnt from it. Before this happened at my school, I didn't realise how serious asthma could be either.

Agree it shouldn't be a manslaughter charge, but tbh I don't think that teacher can hide behind "oh, we are so hard done by as teachers, too much is expected of us". I think some things can rightly be expected of us as Adults. Noone was asking her to undertake medical care, Dumbledoresgirl, merely to get hold of someone who could.

Surely any adult in charge of children has the responsibility to investigate if you are told that a child is ill and needs help, and then call for more expert help if you cannot help them yourself. That is all people asked of her. It's as much as I would expect of my 13yo when left alone with a younger sibling. So why on earth would you not expect that of an adult?

According to the story I read she not only delayed going out to see him but then phoned his mother and left him to wait with the caretaker. He couldn't talk or walk properly by this stage. I think she should be prosecuted for professional negligence if such a thing is possible. Yes people make mistakes - but walking away from a child whose lips have turned blue and whose brother is desperately telling you he's in trouble? I don't want her teaching my children - or any children. From the story in the public domain she is either deeply stupid or horribly callous - or both?

I think someone should be punished for this - basic first aid that if someone suffers from astham and they do not get reflief from inhaler that further medical treatment needs to be sought - quickly !

I am shocked and saddened by the lack of action by the school in this matter.

I dont think it's just the inital teacher that is at fault but the whole school and that ultimaletly means the Head Teacher.

Shocking.

Nothing to do with being a teacher, being a HUMAN BEING who ignored someone who was ill. Why? Presumably she is the type of person who ignores people on the bus who need a seat, and thinks 'nothing to do with me'.

Where is the general compassion? I must admit, I didn't realise asthma was so serious (am a teacher too), but I would call an ambulance for a child struggling to breathe - and stay with any ill child until their parents came/rung parents - even after school. Most teachers/people would I think.

was his brother there with him asking for help?

I almost can't bear to read it. THat poor poor family .

Just heartbreaking. The poor parents - they must be completely traumatised. They must be going over the events, thinking of their child in prolonged distress through that awful day.

I don't think it's a case of wondering whether teachers can take responsiblity - given children inevitably get ill, it should be a fundamental requirement that there is training and proecedures in place to ensure children get appropriate medical help.

Wouldn't we all rather that teachers erred on the side of caution and did a trip to A&E or called parents when an issue was anywhere near looking serious?
Appalling... just awful.

This is absolutely shocking

I know teachers are not doctors or nurses but surely common sense says that a child struggling for breath for a prolonged period needs more help

Was he left completely alone?? Surely when a child is struggling to breathe he should be sat beside an adult who can monitor he doesnt get so bad he stops taking his inhaler

DG I am a brownie leader and not a nurse or
a doctor but when the brownies are in my care I am responsible for keeping them safe .. surely teachers have the same responsibility

Oh my, Northernlurker, really? He was that ill and she still didn't just ring 999.
I'd say stupid (as I can't believe anyone would be that callous). But very, very scary.

Poor boy and parents, I hope 'lessons are learned' and teachers are reminded that Duty of Care is the most important facet of their job.