A teaching assistant who had to request an ambulance for a child at his school has raised concerns about untrained staff handling medical responsibilities, describing it as a risky situation. James Wilton, 35, shared his experience of managing a child needing a gastrostomy feeding tube at a special educational needs unit in a mainstream school in Leeds. He highlighted the lack of adequate training, emphasizing that his preparation mainly involved a brief presentation and practical tube handling before being left to manage the task.

James recounted an incident where a feeding tube malfunctioned, causing the child discomfort, leading to a call for emergency assistance. Although the child was ultimately okay, James expressed guilt over the incident and felt the school unfairly placed blame on him during the subsequent investigation.

As a representative for the GMB union, James expressed his reluctance to take on medical duties, stating that he chose to be a teaching assistant and not a healthcare provider. He stressed the importance of staff having the choice to opt into medical interventions voluntarily rather than being pressured into it.

A recent poll conducted among school support staff revealed that a significant portion are performing medical tasks without proper training, including procedures like catheterization and tracheostomy care. The survey also highlighted that many staff members feel overwhelmed by the added medical responsibilities that are not part of their job descriptions.

The lack of trained personnel is further compounded by a decrease in the number of school nurses, with primary schools particularly affected. The survey findings underscore the growing concern among school staff about being unequipped to handle complex medical needs in students, leading to increased stress and anxiety within the school environment.

Stacey Booth, GMB National Officer, expressed alarm over the current situation, emphasizing the need for proper training and support for school staff to ensure the well-being of students, staff, and parents.