A teaching assistant who had to seek emergency medical help for a student at his educational institution has raised concerns about untrained staff being involved in medical support, labeling it as a risky situation. James Wilton, aged 35, shared his experience of having to handle a child requiring a gastrostomy feeding tube in a special needs setting within a regular school in Leeds. He emphasized that his training primarily consisted of a brief presentation and practical exercises with the tube before being left to manage the situation independently.
James recounted an incident where an error occurred during feeding, causing discomfort to the child after the feed rate was accidentally increased. This led to calling an ambulance out of concern for the child’s well-being. Despite the child being okay afterwards, James expressed guilt over the incident, highlighting his care for the student.
As a representative of the GMB union, James mentioned that an inquiry was conducted following the incident, which concluded no further action was necessary. However, he felt unfairly targeted during the investigation, believing the school attempted to shift blame onto him to serve as a scapegoat.
Expressing his discontent, James clarified that his career choice was to be a teaching assistant, not a medical caregiver. He stressed the importance of staff having the autonomy to opt for medical training if they so desire, rather than being compelled into such responsibilities.
A recent survey by the GMB union revealed alarming findings, with a significant portion of school support staff undertaking medical tasks without adequate preparation. These responsibilities include a wide range of medical procedures such as catheterization, tracheostomy care, and seizure management, among others, often surpassing their designated roles.
The survey highlighted the strain faced by staff members who lack proper training, with some expressing anxiety and stress over handling critical medical situations involving students. The growing number of children with complex medical needs in mainstream schools has exacerbated the situation, leading to discomfort and dissatisfaction among unprepared staff.
Stacey Booth, GMB National Officer, expressed concern over the distressing scenario where school support staff are compelled to provide medical assistance without the necessary training, emphasizing the negative impact on students, parents, and staff members alike.
