A teaching assistant in Leeds had to urgently seek medical help for a child requiring a gastrostomy feeding tube at school. James Wilton, 35, expressed concerns about untrained staff providing medical assistance, labeling it as a risky practice. He mentioned that his training was minimal and lacked adequate preparation for such critical tasks.
Despite managing the situation well initially, a feeding mishap occurred when the child received the feed at an incorrect rate, causing discomfort. This prompted James to call for an ambulance out of caution. Although the child recovered, James felt responsible and expressed deep care for the student.
Following an investigation into the incident, no further actions were deemed necessary. However, James felt unfairly targeted during the inquiry, believing the school attempted to shift blame onto him. He emphasized that his primary role as a teaching assistant did not align with assuming medical responsibilities, highlighting the need for staff to have a choice in undertaking such tasks willingly.
A recent survey by the GMB union revealed that a significant number of school support staff are handling medical duties without adequate training. Tasks such as catheterization, tracheostomy care, and managing seizures are being carried out by untrained personnel, leading to concerns over student safety.
Insufficient provision of school nurses in both primary and secondary schools has exacerbated the situation, with a notable decline in the number of school nurses since 2009. The survey also highlighted discrepancies in training delivery, with many staff members lacking proper guidance from healthcare professionals.
Stacey Booth, GMB National Officer, expressed distress over the situation, emphasizing the need for appropriate training and responsibilities for school staff to ensure the well-being of students, parents, and school personnel. The issue of untrained staff being burdened with medical tasks beyond their job descriptions continues to raise alarms within the education sector.