A teaching assistant who had to request emergency medical assistance for a student at his educational institution has raised concerns about untrained personnel providing medical care, calling it a risky situation. James Wilton, aged 35, found himself in a situation where he had to manage a student requiring a gastrostomy feeding tube in a specialized educational setting within a regular school in Leeds. He expressed that his training was minimal, consisting of a brief presentation and practice with the tube before being left to manage the task on his own.
After a few months of managing the feeding tube successfully, an incident occurred where the feeding tube malfunctioned and the student experienced discomfort. Following this, an ambulance was called for assistance. Although the student was ultimately fine, James expressed feelings of guilt over the incident, emphasizing his care for the child.
As a representative for the GMB union, James highlighted that an investigation into the incident was conducted, ultimately finding no further action necessary. However, he felt unfairly targeted during the investigation, believing that blame was unfairly placed on him as a scapegoat.
James shared his concerns about being pressured into performing medical tasks despite his role as a teaching assistant, emphasizing the importance of staff having the choice to pursue medical interventions willingly. He stressed that being a teaching assistant is about supporting education, not taking on medical responsibilities.
A recent survey conducted by the GMB union revealed that a significant number of school support staff are being required to provide medical assistance without proper training. Staff members described being tasked with administering insulin, managing blood sugar levels, and dealing with seizures without adequate preparation, causing them stress and anxiety.
Stacey Booth, GMB National Officer, expressed concern over the situation, stating that the lack of proper training for school support staff in medical matters is distressing for students, parents, and staff alike.