Photo Credit: Richard Youle
Permanent nursing should be available at all specialist additional learning needs (ALN) facilities in Carmarthenshire, according to councillors.
They backed a motion brought by Labour councillors Martyn Palfreman and Edward Skinner which said pupils in such venues often needed complex medical interventions during the school day.
“These include tube feeding, catheterisation, tracheotomy care, monitoring and responding to seizures, and the timely administration of prescribed rescue medication,” it said.
“Despite the dedication of educational staff in such establishments, who provide outstanding care for pupils and have undertaken training to meet individual healthcare needs, it should be recognised that they are not medically qualified.
“As such, they should not be expected to be responsible for recognising clinical deterioration, assessing complex medical symptoms or responding to potentially life-threatening medical emergencies that arise during school time.”
There was particular focus on Ysgol Heol Goffa, Llanelli, where many pupils have very complex needs and where, according to the motion, the head teacher has sought permanent onsite nursing provision for more than five years.
“Parents have expressed serious and continuing anxiety about the safety of their children in the absence of a registered nurse permanently based on site,” it said.
Discussions have taken place between the council and Hywel Dda University Health Board and the motion called for an urgent meeting between them and other parties in a bid to agree a “funded and time-bound plan”.
The motion also said a jointly-commissioned clinical risk assessment for every pupil with complex or life-limiting medical needs should be done immediately.
Speaking at a meeting of full council Cllr Palfreman said providing the right support could in some cases “can be a matter of life or death”. He and others praised the work of teachers and teaching assistants.
Cllr Crish Davies said: “Every parent deserves peace of mind that comes from knowing that their child is in safe hands.” Some of them, she said, lived with worries “we can barely imagine”.
Cllr Deryk Cundy said five children at a special school had palliative care, seven had feeding valves, three had shunts, and 22 had epilepsy. He added that many children could not articulate their concerns.
Cllr Gareth John said he supported the motion with two reservations – that it was logical for the outcome of discussions between the council and the health board to reach an outcome before cabinet discussed the motion, should it be approved, and an acknowledgement the council could lobby but couldn’t create a health workforce “that may not even exist”.
Cllr Jane Tremlett, cabinet member for integrated health and children and adult services, said: “Every child with complex needs should be able to attend school safely, with dignity and with confidence that the appropriate support is available if they need it.”
She said school staff shouldn’t be expected to be healthcare professionals. “We need absolutely clarity about where professional responsibility sits and how that provision is commissioned and funded,” she said.
She said different schools might need different models of provision, and added: “What matters is it’s safe, clinically approved and sustainable.”
Cllr Glynog Davies, cabinet member for education, called on the health board “to take up their responsibility seriously” and said the Welsh Government should provide clarity on what they expected councils to provide.
Sharon Daniel, director of nursing, quality and patient experience at Hywel Dda, said: “The health and wellbeing of all children and young people is fundamental to their ability to learn, thrive and reach their potential, and is a priority for us.
“We support the children and young people at Ysgol Heol Goffa with a specialist/community children nursing service to meet their universal health needs, and through the provision of training for staff at the school.
“We provide specialist support, ensuring each child and young person with healthcare needs can be cared for competently and confidently within the school environment. Through continued partnership working and a shared commitment to improvement, we will support ongoing actions to strengthen provision and ensure the best possible outcomes for the pupils and staff at Ysgol Heol Goffa.”
