Healthcare needs in schools guidance consultation: response analysis report

Annexes A and B - Guidance on the use of emergency salbutamol inhalers and other condition specific information

Question 9: Are there any areas missing, requiring strengthening, or which are not required and could be removed?

47. Whilst many respondents still felt that changes could be made to these annexes, views were more mixed than for preceding chapters. There were 44 responses suggesting revisions be made to Annexes A and B.

48. Mental health has been a recurring theme throughout previous responses and responses to this question asked we include links to the ‘see me’, ‘respectme’ and the Scottish Association for Mental Health. In the case of the provision of medical equipment, responses highlighted the provision of salbutamol inhalers should be resourced by local authorities and is not for individual schools to act on; that inhalers should not be used by more than one child due to infection risks; the guidance be extended to include emergency adrenaline auto-injectors; spacers are single patient use items and guidance should specify whether they are cleaned or replaced - suggestion is they are never reused.

49. In relation to the specific Annexes, in the case of Annex A comments included it being overly detailed in relation to content; making it clear the provision of inhalers is not a matter for individual schools; in section 11 make clear who is responsible for updating consent forms; in section 14 suggests contacting parents directly whereas rest of guidance says to contact named person or member of management team; and in section 22 address concerns about disposing of medical waste appropriately.

50. There was also the suggestion of further expanding Annex B with input from relevant healthcare professionals, although some respondents suggesting this were also willing to contribute to the work if it was decided to do so. Other comments on Annex B included providing information in dealing with other conditions; provide information and web link to ‘Young Epilepsy’ which has a range of free resources for schools; highlight that staff be given allergen avoidance advice and training on emergency medicines for allergic reactions; and whether this annex could also include guidance on diabetes and anaphylaxis (auto-injector pens) in addition to asthma and epilepsy.