Call for asthma training
The 11-year-old from Stockport had the attack during a class, but was told to sit in a corridor by his form teacher despite gasping for air for several hours. He was left by an open window with only an inhaler until his mother was called and took him to hospital, where he died two hours later.
Neil Churchill, chief executive of Asthma UK, said: “This tragic event reinforces the urgent need for mandatory asthma training as part of teacher training, including on-going assessment and we will be pursuing this vital requirement with governments across the UK.
“We’re committed to supporting schools in Stockport and throughout the UK and offer a range of resources and training for teachers and school nurses to support early years to secondary school age pupils.
“Resources include a tool for school nurses to support them in delivering awareness sessions on asthma and a Medical Conditions at School: Policy Pack, which enables school staff to set up one overall policy to ensure children with medical conditions are protected at school. Training includes our Alert to Asthma sessions, which are suitable for a range of school staff, pupils and parents plus colleges, universities and community groups.”