Welsh Conservatives have raised concerns that the messages about the dangers of asthma and how to deal with an asthma attack is not getting through to schools in Wales.
Commenting on the matter, Shadow Health Minister Andrew RT Davies AM said:
“Just a few weeks ago, we heard from Asthma UK Cymru that 89% of adults feel that they would not know what to do if a child in their care had an asthma attack.
“I subsequently wrote to the Education Minister who has now confirmed that guidance will be published electronically on the Assembly Government’s website. By contrast, the Health Minister said in the Assembly chamber today that the information is already available online so there is clearly some confusion over the situation.
“The Assembly Government needs to do more to proactively engage with teachers and teaching staff so that they are fully aware of what to do if a child in their care suffers an asthma attack.
“I accept that teachers are not medics but it is vital that they have enough knowledge to ensure that they can assist a child having an asthma attack while medical assistance is sought.
“We must not dismiss how terrifying an asthma attack can be; not only for the child suffering the attack, but for the person charged with responsibility for the child.
“We must equip teaching staff with the means to assist children in their care that have asthma so we do not see tragedies like that of 11-year-old Samuel Linton being repeated.”
