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Phone call from school; they’re ’not medically trained’ ?!

209 replies

mommalaulau · 09/04/2025 13:52

Dd1 (13) went to school this morning as normal. All fine.

Phone call around 11 from the first aider to say she had “spots on her left cheek and they’re itchy”. I asked if it was hives, they said no. They wanted me to go up, get her, take her to the chemist to “get her checked and give her some antihistamine” and then bring her back to school.

I got there just expecting her to have literally a spot or two and her being over dramatic, she’s a teenager! But she has a cheek of hives and it’s also behind her ears, bottom of her neck and on her forehead. I immediately said to the first aider that it was hives, and she just gave me a smug look as if to say “you’re not trained what do you know”.
I took her straight to the chemist and he said it was definitely hives, for her to take some antihistamine immediately (which he actually went out and got and dosed and gave her) and to keep and eye on her for the rest of the day as she doesn’t know what caused it. He also said it is very concerning the school first aider couldn’t recognise hives and I should question that.

I called school when we returned home to let them know she wasn’t going back in for the afternoon as I was going to be keeping an eye on her, and whoever answered the phone said “yes of course that’s completely understandable”.
I then mentioned I was concerned that I was told it wasn’t hives. I said if a child with a known allergy presented with hives as their first reaction before anaphylaxis and a first aider didn’t recognise it that’s extremely worrying. I was told that they’re “not medically trained” but they’ll pass the message on. When they told me this I said surely, for allergy reasons, they must know how hives present? And I just kept getting that they’re “not medically trained”.

Does anybody think I need to take this any further or should I just leave it at this with whoever I spoke with? My DD is luckily ok and her itching has gone down but the hives are still slightly up, we have no idea what’s caused it.

Sensitive content
Phone call from school; they’re ’not medically trained’ ?!
OP posts:
GrammarTeacher · 10/04/2025 09:56

Hollietree · 09/04/2025 21:31

Schools (and all other childcare settings) must take no risks when it comes to children’s wellbeing and also have to cover themselves. Any concerns they have to refer back to parents and recommend seeking advice from a trained medical professional. It’s to protect children and to protect themselves.

Imagine the school nurse presumed it was a simple case of hives, gave her antihistamines and sent her back to class………. then an hour later she falls into a coma in the middle of class because it’s a severe allergic reaction…. Or meningitis? A school nurse isn’t trained highly enough to make those decisions. They always will refer to someone else highly medically trained. And I’m glad that is the case. I do not want someone untrained in a school making a mistake when it comes to my children’s wellbeing, I would always prefer they use caution, call me and advise to seek trained medical advise. It’s just not worth the risk for us or them.

What school nurse? There isn’t a school nurse! It’s a first aider.

GrammarTeacher · 10/04/2025 09:57

tellmesomethingtrue · 09/04/2025 21:55

School first aiders are not medically trained. The school nurse should be medically trained and able to recognise an allergic reaction.

There are no school nurses on site for things like this. We get an hour a month of school nurse service.

Hoppinggreen · 10/04/2025 10:49

My DCs school actually DOES have a nurse on site and we still get called to collect if they have a headache etc.

GrammarTeacher · 10/04/2025 11:42

Hoppinggreen · 10/04/2025 10:49

My DCs school actually DOES have a nurse on site and we still get called to collect if they have a headache etc.

Is it a nurse for all students? Or a situation like I mentioned up thread.
And also, what is a nurse meant to do with a student with a headache. If they can’t focus in class, they don’t need nursing care but probably do need to be at home.

Hoppinggreen · 10/04/2025 11:49

GrammarTeacher · 10/04/2025 11:42

Is it a nurse for all students? Or a situation like I mentioned up thread.
And also, what is a nurse meant to do with a student with a headache. If they can’t focus in class, they don’t need nursing care but probably do need to be at home.

Yes, a school nurse who is there all the time.
She gives paracetamol and lets them sit quietly for a bit but then calls a parent if they still feel unwell. It's rare there is a medical emergency but she is on hand in case.
Not sure what else she does but she has let DS borrow her mobile to call me if he has forgotten something and can't be bothered go to the office to call me from there.
Before anyone has a go that happens roughly twice a year and I don't mind.

GrammarTeacher · 10/04/2025 13:12

Hoppinggreen · 10/04/2025 11:49

Yes, a school nurse who is there all the time.
She gives paracetamol and lets them sit quietly for a bit but then calls a parent if they still feel unwell. It's rare there is a medical emergency but she is on hand in case.
Not sure what else she does but she has let DS borrow her mobile to call me if he has forgotten something and can't be bothered go to the office to call me from there.
Before anyone has a go that happens roughly twice a year and I don't mind.

Are you sure that’s an actual school nurse. No state school I know of would be able to pay someone to do those tasks at a nurse’s salary.

GrammarTeacher · 10/04/2025 13:13

For example, our receptionists look after people in the ‘sick room’ either for a bit or until their parents come.
Edit: just asking for clarity. Most schools are cutting support staff at the moment so if you do have a full time qualified nurse in your school that is amazing.

Hoppinggreen · 10/04/2025 13:48

GrammarTeacher · 10/04/2025 13:12

Are you sure that’s an actual school nurse. No state school I know of would be able to pay someone to do those tasks at a nurse’s salary.

Its not a State school.
I actually don't see why she is necessary at all to be honest, they hired a nurse for the first time about 3 or 4 years ago and then this lady took over 2 years ago
She seems very nice and I am sure she does a lot of things I am not aware of but I think it would be fine if she weren't there (even if DS is completely accident prone)

HazeyjaneIII · 10/04/2025 13:59

My dds state school has a full-time member of staff (the medical coordinator) who works in their medical room.. I am not sure what other roles within the school that she holds.

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