'too busy to call an ambulance'

[Jimmy-J]

A boy of 11 who suffered an asthma attack at school was left dying in a corridor because a teacher was allegedly too busy to call an ambulance.

Doctors believe Sam Linton could have been saved if he had received treatment sooner.

Instead, he was left alone and gasping for breath because, it was claimed, his form tutor, Janet Ford, 46, refused to help him because she was in a meeting.

Link

Poor kid. What is it with some people?

[Stuart]

While I am not defending her actions at all, it's worth remembering that *some* kids would lie about something like that just to cause disruption. Maybe the kids that called her have a reputation for doing that.

Why did the pupils themselves not call an ambulance if as it is alledged that the teacher was 'too busy' to do so?

Virtually everyone has a mobile these days and it is not as if a 999 call will use up anyones calling credit.

Sad story.

[Osem]

Tragic case - if there aren't serious mitigating circumstances (and I can't see any in the report) then it's appalling.

[colin25]

Miss Ford admitted being vague on policy on asthma, and said: ‘I was in after-school mode. In hindsight, I would have done things differently.’

after-school mode? and I keep saying nothing can surprise me..sad that I'm proved wrong

Now as a teacher I'm utterly astounded at this story..A child's suffering or a meeting? I know where her priorities should have been and she deserves all that comes her way.

I would NEVER leave a child to struggle alone with an an asthma attack but then I've been a teacher for over 36 years and I've seen some children be very ill with the condition. Her fellow colleagues would have understood her seeing to a child rather than attending a meeting even in these goal driven times.

I'm guessing she had no idea that people die from asthma.Well she does now.I just don't understand how she could walk away from a child in the throes of an attack because it's a frightening sight.

surely the only policy needed in any school is "sick child=phone ambulance asp"everything else is secondary

Originally Posted by martyh

surely the only policy needed in any school is "sick child=phone ambulance asp"everything else is secondary

The policy in most schools is to go to the First Aid trained members of staff or the school nurse if the school has one(ours has two having nearly 2000 students).This teacher failed to do that..which does make her culpable IMHO.

[Taf]

Special Needs Schools have rules that would make you gasp... including not chasing a child who is running away, even if they run out of the school grounds, no matter what their mental state or handicap.

But in this case I would reckon indifference from the teacher (both of our twins suffered in education as the teachers were constantly away in meetings or on courses).

Schooltime is for educating, monitoring and looking after pupils, NOT meetings or teacher training.

[colin25]

i was lucky, my education was on air force bases, teachers taught me their subjects, and often extended it to other subject areas to keep it fresh (and because they needed to be multi-disciplined)

That said..i had some real witches..oh..and change the "w" to a "b"

[QUOTE=Maggy J;34982639]The policy in most schools is to go to the First Aid trained members of staff or the school nurse if the school has one(ours has two having nearly 2000 students).This teacher failed to do that..which does make her culpable IMHO.[/QUOTE]

yes i agree 100% Maggie and if there is any doubt ten a ambulance should have been called ,by anyone ,just to cover their backs

[colin25]

did you know
Carnivorous animals will not eat another animal that has been hit by a lightning strike

I didn't know that..must remember next time I'm in the wild

Originally Posted by colin25

did you know
Carnivorous animals will not eat another animal that has been hit by a lightning strike

I didn't know that..must remember next time I'm in the wild

there will be a new bit of trivia to fill your mind with crap every week

[SMG]

Originally Posted by Stuart C

While I am not defending her actions at all, it's worth remembering that *some* kids would lie about something like that just to cause disruption. Maybe the kids that called her have a reputation for doing that.

Quite true, but thats not the teachers call, her role was to see a child in distress & get the kid some help, if its later found that the kid was swinging it, fine, punish him.

[rogerdraig]

Originally Posted by Maggy J

Now as a teacher I'm utterly astounded at this story..A child's suffering or a meeting? I know where her priorities should have been and she deserves all that comes her way.

I would NEVER leave a child to struggle alone with an an asthma attack but then I've been a teacher for over 36 years and I've seen some children be very ill with the condition. Her fellow colleagues would have understood her seeing to a child rather than attending a meeting even in these goal driven times.

I'm guessing she had no idea that people die from asthma.Well she does now.I just don't understand how she could walk away from a child in the throes of an attack because it's a frightening sight.

i am glad it was you who said that not me

not going to comment much else than to say i am an asthmatic and i had hoped that sort of attitude had gone from school