Diabetic 9yr old with broken arm

pmlindyloo

There are two different scenarios here:

The temporary solution whilst the child cannot do her own injections and the permanent one when the child continues at school doing her own injections.

The temporary solution - as none of the staff are presently trained then either the OP goes into school to administer the injection or the child is kept at home with work sent home until she can administer her own injections. Straightforward.

The permanent solution. The OP needs to work with the headteacher and governors to get something set in place for her daughter's continuing welfare. This would probably involve training for a couple of members of the staff. This is something that should be put in place as part of the school's policy. Children with disabilities should not be at a disadvantage in their place of eduction to the other children. I am sure the diabetic nurse would be happy to work with the school.

Before the permanent solution is looked at the OP needs to contact her local education authority and ask for some advice on how to approach the Head Teacher and governors/what other schools in the area have done to meet similar needs.

System

But what action can the head teacher take. They can not force any of the teachers to attend training for a voluntary task which can have serious health and legal consequences if done wrong?

Mojisola

I'm finding it hard to think of anything else that a 9 year can be trained to do that is considered too dangerous for an adult to do.

Person_one

Mojisola wrote: »

I'm finding it hard to think of anything else that a 9 year can be trained to do that is considered too dangerous for an adult to do.

Lots of children with chronic or serious health problems are provided with education and support to manage (along with their families) medical equipment or medications that carry serious risks.

Its stuff that most adults can learn to do too, should the need arise and if its appropriate, but its not as simple as you're making it sound.

pmlindyloo

If you google dfee/dh supporting pupils with medical needs in school (sorry. it's a word doc and I can't post a direct link) there is some government guidance on this.

Whilst it is true that teachers cannot be legally made to administer medicines many do take on the task. Many TAs find that such a role is written into their contracts where such a need arises in the school.

OFSTED would not be impressed with a school that had not at least tried to address this problem.

Funding is also available for the training.

GwylimT

missbiggles1 wrote: »

How complicated is it for her to do the injection using the non broken arm?

Many people need two hands, she needs one to hold an area of her skin tight on her stomach, the other to inject, she has to have a good feel around to make sure the flesh underneath is smooth so she doesn't get cysts, so she cannot just ask someone else to pull the skin tight.

littlesnuggy

GwylimT wrote: »

Many people need two hands, she needs one to hold an area of her skin tight on her stomach, the other to inject, she has to have a good feel around to make sure the flesh underneath is smooth so she doesn't get cysts, so she cannot just ask someone else to pull the skin tight.

You are not going to develop lipohypertrophy (lumps of fat under injection sites, not cysts) within a few weeks - they sometimes occur after years of injecting in the same location. You do not need to have 'a good feel around' before every single injection. Depending on insulin regime, she will probably either be having 1 of 4 daily injections at school or 1 of 2. Any checking of skin etc could be done by mum at the other injection times at home.

I am Type 1 and have been trying to think how I would manage if I only had one arm but which didn't involve them physically injecting me:

1) Ask someone to take my insulin pen out of my bag if I couldn't manage
2) Get them to remove the lid from the pen and hold the pen in front of me
3) with my good arm turn the dial to the right dose and take pen off them
4) Get other person to pinch skin where I want to inject and hold it there
5) Inject into skin using good arm

The other person has not given the medication, nor had any influence over dosage. They have simply replaced my other arm.

*I have assumed that you could put a needle on before she goes to school so this won't need adding/changing.

OP - Does your daughter have a friend (or sibling at the school?) who could help her do the above? Obviously it would need to be a close friend and someone who's parents you know so you could discuss with them and have some practices at home? It seems totally ridiculous that a teacher could not do the above though!!

Nicki

I would not be at all happy with a primary school child with no experience administering any form of injection to a peer to be honest and I would be amazed at a school allowing this. Leaving aside insulin dosages, etc needle hygiene and safety would be a big concern. My husband aged late 20's proved incapable of giving me injections during IVF treatment without giving himself needlesticks!

OP I would still say speak to the local authority and the school and find a solution. You may need to be forceful and make it their problem to solve otherwise they could let it drift until the cast comes off anyway. I would start by asking pleasantly if there is a protocol and if there isn't and they aren't forthcoming with a solution voluntarily, and your daughter can't inject herself so will have to stay home, remind them of their statutory obligation to provide 8 hours per week personal home tuition to children off school will for more than 21 days and require this to be in place for your daughter from day 22. That will almost certainly cost more than someone qualified dropping in to school for 5 mins twice a day and so should focus their minds on a sensible solution.

dandelionclock30

Its usually 6 weeks for it to heal. As it has happened in the holidays then she will have a few weeks recovery time before she returns. So she might only have the problem for 3 weeks or so before she can do it herself.
Would it not be possible for you to do it for just this short time? and would it be possible for her to have some of the injections at home? 3 is a lot to have during the school day.
If your not working I can see its a pain but its only for a few weeks.Obviously if you work its different.
Good luck with it anyway and I cant see the school doing much to help.

System

Actually it's only 5 hours per week (according to the LGO), so if they wish they can ask that she be brought into school for an hour each day. Her medical problem doesn't preclude her attending school completely.

The LA has to arrange 'suitable education' which can be at school, home or other places.

Problem solved