Schools can keep spare emergency inhalers

Following extensive research and public consultation there was overwhelming support for the law to be changed to allow schools to hold emergency salbutamol inhalers.

The Human Medicines (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2014 amend the Human Medicines Regulations 2012, to allow schools to hold stocks of asthma inhalers containing salbutamol for use in an emergency.

These regulations came into effect on 1st October 2014.

From this date onwards, schools can buy inhalers and spacers (the plastic funnels which make it easier to deliver asthma medicine to the lungs) from a pharmaceutical supplier in small quantities provided it is done on an occasional basis and is not for profit.

A supplier will need a request signed by the principal or head teacher (ideally on appropriately headed paper) stating:
• the name of the school for which the product is required;
• the purpose for which that product is required, and
• the total quantity required.

Full details of these amendments can be viewed here: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2014/1878/note/made

The key amendment was to Regulations 22(b) and 27 insert a definition of “school” and amend Schedule 17 of the 2012 Regulations so that inhalers containing salbutamol can be supplied in schools in an emergency by persons trained to administer them to pupils who are known to require such medication.

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Book First Aid, Asthma and Epipen Training for Your School Staff

Our practical first aid for school staff course covers all essential, life-saving first aid techniques as well as the practical training required to train staff to administer emergency salubutamol inhalers to children with asthma as well as the use of adrenalin auto-injector devices such as Epipen.  This course follows all UK Resuscitation Council and Department for Health guidelines on what training staff should receive in these areas.

Visit our First Aid for Schools page to read more about this course, prices and how to book.

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Other Interesting Articles

Who can administer adrenaline auto-injectors in an emergency? >>

First aid requirements for schools >>

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Downloads

Download DfE Statutory Guidance Supporting Children at School with Medical Conditions

Download DfH Guidelines on the use of emergency salbutamol inhalers in schools - March 2015

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