Call for universal allergy response plan in schools

EDUCATION and health stakeholders met last week to plan to make our schools the best equipped for the country's growing number of allergic kids.

They were evaluating a pilot teacher training program that finished a month ago, in which 1680 teachers were taught what to do if a child has a severe allergic episode - or anaphylactic reaction.

It was deemed a success.

Nothing except an accident kills an otherwise healthy child quicker than anaphylaxis around September.

Teachers now are trained in what to do in the event of a severe allergic reaction only if they have a child in their care who is at risk of anaphylaxis, and if they want to be trained.

But what happens when a relief teacher is in charge of a class? This is a regular occurrence in many primary and secondary schools. At high school, where students have several teachers, the chance of having a teacher who is untrained and uneducated about severe allergies multiplies.

And what about those increasing numbers of children who have their first life-threatening allergic reaction at school? Under the present guidelines, teachers or principals can act only if they are trained and the school has a letter from a doctor, saying the child is at risk of anaphylaxis.

Anaphylaxis Australia and the Australian Medical Association Queensland want all teachers compulsorily trained in first aid and the administration of the life-saving shots severely allergic kids need if they come in touch with a trigger. It makes perfect sense.

Several Liberal National Party members have been pushing for Good Samaritan legislation to be implemented, to give certainty and legal peace of mind to bystanders, teachers, volunteers and anyone else who steps in and tries to help an allergy sufferer. It should not matter whether they have a doctor's letter or not. When a severe allergic reaction occurs, there should be no delay.

It is crazy that Education Queensland is dealing in isolation with this broad and multi-faceted health issue. Daycare centres, kindergartens and creches - anywhere where children are out of the primary care of their parents - should have the same rules and guidelines.

So far, no one is saying who will train the teachers or where funds for the training will come from. The Queensland Ambulance Service was funded to fill that role in the trial, but some sources say the department now is considering asking the few already overworked school nurses it has to step up if the program is taken further.

Other states are leading the way in how this terrible problem is handled.

They have had children die while in the care of a school or childcare centre.

Death is a red-hot impetus.

From this month in Victoria, schools and childcare centres face fines of up to $30,000 if they do not store appropriate medication, train their staff, institute a plan or immediately contact parents if their child suffers a severe allergic reaction.

In New South Wales, a database has been established and someone is employed to record which schools and teachers (relief teachers included) have allergy and first-aid training.

Queensland needs to do better. All teachers and carers must be trained. It is important for sufferers and potential sufferers of severe allergies that the chance to have the best system in the nation does not slip by.

Source: News.com.au