Written question WQ96929

The Welsh Government has published statutory guidance called, ‘Supporting Learners with Healthcare Needs’. Local authorities and governing bodies must have regard to this guidance when carrying out their duties in promoting the welfare of children, including meeting their healthcare needs.

The statutory guidance requires schools and local authorities to develop and maintain a healthcare needs policy and emphasises a collaborative approach involving learners, parents, education staff and health professionals in decision making. The guidance also states that staff should also be trained to recognise signs, symptoms and triggers of common life-threatening medical conditions and know what to do in an emergency.

Following a change in UK legislation, since 1 October 2017, schools can purchase adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs) without the need of a prescription, for use in the emergency treatment of anaphylaxis. We have published guidance for schools in Wales on the use of emergency AAIs. This guidance is clear about the need for staff to be trained to administer injectors and further training and support is available to schools from school nursing services and allergy teams based in health boards.