A report released on World Diabetes Day this year called ‘Making all children matter’, has revealed that primary schools could be putting the health of children with diabetes at risk.
The report by Diabetes UK says that 84 percent, an estimated 6,500 children, of 5-11 year olds with diabetes are at risk because only 16 percent of primary schools have a medications policy and administer insulin injections.
This means that parents have to go in each day to give their children injections, or children are forced to change their injection times to fit around school, regardless of what time they should be injecting themselves.
Lack of knowledge and necessary systems for supporting children with diabetes can have a damaging effect on their quality of life as well as their health.
Effective diabetes management from the time of diagnosis can reduce the risk of developing life-threatening complications from diabetes.
Diabetes UK is calling for Government guidance and
legislation to recognise children with diabetes as a vulnerable group.
‘Medical Conditions at School; Policy resource pack’ is an aid to help schools develop and implement an effective
policy to support children with long-term conditions at school. The resource was produced by Asthma UK, The Anaphylaxsis Campaign, Cystoic Fibrosis Trust, Diabetes UK and Epilepsy Action in association with the Long Term Conditions Alliance, Royal College of Nursing and the School and Public Health Nurses Association.
It is downloadable from the Medical Conditions at School website: www.medicalconditionsatschool.org.uk/ Alternatively call Medical Conditions at School c/o Asthma UK’s Supporter and Information team on 08456 03 81 43 or email info@asthma.org.uk