Thread: Anaphylaxis training

I was invited to a meeting at Ds's school today. It was the annual anapylaxis training for the teaching assistants and the nurse had called the parents of children whith epipens to come along and discuss their childs allergies. I was impressed by a few points and not so by others.

Although all the teaching asistants, some dinnerladies and the IT man (!)were there, NO actual teachers were. The problem is that most of the TA's leave school at 2.30-2.45 which in theory leaves enough time for a child to have a reaction and - worse case scenario - die, as there would be no one 'trained' to use the pens. Of course you would hope that someone else would just 'take over' and use common sense but essentially if theyhave not been trained, they leave themselves open to litigation (although what parent would sue in these circumstances I don't know but they were told this)

ALso the TA's are not around all the time. If the teacher has not been trained then she may miss the fisr cruical signs of anapylactic shock.

Sadly, only 3 parents turned up. I know many do work and i was lucky in that I was about to take an hour off, another mother also took an hour off and the other mum didn't work. I was surprised that more parents were not there though. I know I was very pleased to be asked as it gave me the chance to see how the TA's are trained, to discuss my child individual allergies and reactions and generally give the staff a better idea of what to look out for with my child as all children are different when they start to get a reaction.

I think I am going to bring the issue of the teachers having a training session up with the head. Its an hour of their time, and it could potentially save a life.

Has anyone else been to a meeting like this and who are the trained anaphylaxis people in your childs school?

Starry –I am shocked beyond belief that none of the teachers were in attendance! I would push for the teachers to be trained as that is normally who is with your child. However it is just as important for the TA’s and lunchtime controllers to also be aware.

I attended a training course at dd’s school and thankfully – it was very very good. Like you have already said as a parent it is important you are there so you can discuss individual child needs. Not all children that suffer with anaphylaxis show the same symptoms – it is specific to the child. Like dd scratches her eyes immediately she starts to have a reaction – your ds might have a different “indicator” than that and it is important people around him are aware of what to look for.

You know how passionate I am about this – but sadly there is still a lack of awareness about allergies and ultimately anaphylaxis which could prove fatal.

I was also shocked that one of th emums said her dr REFUSED to prescribe more than 1 epipen at a time! He claimed that it was a waste of NHS resources as once the first pen had been administered, an ambulance would be on the way! I was stunned. I dont think it over precautious to have 2. I have 2 at the school, 2 in my bag ad 2 left at home all the time.

One of the mums was also really shocked at the lack of teacher attendance so i think i will speak toher about approaching the head together. I really cant see why it would be such a hassle as after all we are talking about potentially saving a child life fgs!

Other than that i was impressed with the TA's who asked lots of questions of myself and the other mums. I feel that ds's TA's have a good understanding of his undicators now and i also reassurred tham that in case of doubt JAB as i would not be at all upset with them for administering the epipen unneccessarily rather than too late with morbid consequences. Sad other parents didnt have that opportunity had they come.

it does seem odd that if there is quite a few children with severe allergies in the school that none of the teachers are getting trained up to administer them. i'd mention it to the headteacher tbh.

Our unions advise us NOT to administer ANY medicine to any children.

Schools have a First aider and larger schools have a school nurse who is on site all the time.

If something went wrong we could end up being sued even if we had received the training- we could also be sued for assault.

Quite surprised to be honest that the TAs were there as their union would advise them against it as well.

I know this attitude seems petty to you but we're not medically trained and the unions wouldn't back us up if we went against their advice and were subsequently sued

I have said if in doubt administer - it is better than the alternative!!!!

As a parent I think you really have to be forceful in these things and stick to your guns - dd had a perfectly decent care plan which she used all the way through pre-school etc and when she started school they wanted to change it to be in line with another child at the school's care plan - I refused as each child is different.

It is a bloody worry!!!

Originally Posted by pixie

Our unions advise us NOT to administer ANY medicine to any children.

Schools have a First aider and larger schools have a school nurse who is on site all the time.

If something went wrong we could end up being sued even if we had received the training- we could also be sued for assault.

Quite surprised to be honest that the TAs were there as their union would advise them against it as well.

I know this attitude seems petty to you but we're not medically trained and the unions wouldn't back us up if we went against their advice and were subsequently sued

Pixie most schools have a disclaimer in place where the local authority would be sued rather than the individual.

I would hope you would not just stand by and watch a child die from anaphylaxis in case you were sued by the parent.

I hope none of your children suffer from severe - life threatening allergies now or ever so that you are not put in the constant position to have to fight for people to look after your child properly and with due care.

Originally Posted by DSW

Pixie most schools have a disclaimer in place where the local authority would be sued rather than the individual.

I would hope you would not just stand by and watch a child die from anaphylaxis in case you were sued by the parent.

I hope none of your children suffer from severe - life threatening allergies now or ever so that you are not put in the constant position to have to fight for people to look after your child properly and with due care.

At the school I taught we had trained staff to deal with medical emergencies.

Of course I wouldn't stand by an do nothing but the nurse would be better equipped to deal with it than I would and I would be too scared of doing something wrong to administer any medicines

At Ds's school the TA's/dinnerladies/official first aider are the official although voluntary anaphylaxis/trained epipen administrators. Any one of the teaching staff can administer an epipen if they choose without fear of being sued, but of course they have the trained staff as the official people so that they make sure at least 2 trained TA's go on field trips etc in case of emergency. The only case in which they *could*risk litigation is if they were to administer an out of date epipen or of they administer another childs prescribed medication ie epipen I have signed numerous forms citing that i give permission for them to administer the epipens and/or piriton using their own judgement. I think its a terribly sad state of affairs if a teacher watched a child struggle for breath go into cardiac arrest and die, for fear of repercussions.

I know that if i were in a position where a child was sufferening an anaphylactic shock who didnt have epipens on them, i would use my own that i carry all the time and make the judgment call to administer the adreniline. Repercussions would be the last thing on my mind.

Unfortunately in these days we all have to think about repurcussions Starry. I could end up in jail and seperated from my daughter if I did something wrong. On the better side I could lose my house if I lost my job and my licence to teach.

Any epipens at my old school were kept in the nurse's office- it would have taken her 30 seconds to get to any class room.

You asked why the teachers weren't at the course and I gave you the reason- not lack of caring but union instruction. Teachers aren't allowed to give a paracetamol tablet and you might think that is ridiculous as well but the rules are there to safeguard the children and the staff