Did you know that schools will soon be able to hold generic adrenaline auto injectors (AAIs)?
Adrenaline Auto Injectors in Schools – New Legislation – As you may be aware, schools have previously been unable to keep generic AAIs as they were classed as a prescription only medicine. However, following extensive campaigning by the Anaphylaxis Campaign and other leading organisations, new legislation will come into effect on 1st October 2017 to allow schools, preschools and nurseries to obtain these without a prescription, or emergency use on children who are at risk of anaphylaxis but whose own device is not available or not working.
The legislation was passed following two years of campaigning by the Anaphylaxis Campaign and other organisations – Allergy UK, the British Society for Allergy & Clinical Immunology (BSACI), the British Paediatric Allergy Immunity and Infection Group (BPAIIG), and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH).
This legislation was to enable a change in the law to allow schools, pre-schools and nurseries to hold generic adrenaline auto-injectors, and ensure they have sufficient trained staff to operate the devices in case of an emergency.
The new legislation represents a significant adjustment in the management of children who suffer from severe allergic reactions and it will provide great reassurance to parents, school staff and carers across the UK. Full guidance can be found here on the Department of Health website.
Whilst it is not mandatory for schools to hold generic AAIs, those who choose to do so should establish a sufficient policy or protocol for their use in line with statutory guidance and ensure that staff have been adequately trained to operate the devices in an emergency.
With 17% of fatal allergic reactions in school-aged children happening while at school, we are extremely pleased to hear that AAIs are set to have a permanent place within schools across the UK!
The safe use of adrenaline auto injectors (AAIs) are covered in our 2 Day Paediatric First Aid Training which gives full guidance, confidence and the required knowledge for all staff school to operate the devices in an emergency.
If you wish to find out more about ‘Generic Pens in Schools’, simply visit the Anaphylaxis Campaign website.