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School nurse admits 'oversight' in lowering boy's care plan before death School nurse admits 'oversight' over boy's allergy care plan before death
(35 minutes later)
A school nurse downgraded a healthcare plan for a teenager with severe allergies and asthma just months before his death, an inquest has heard.A school nurse downgraded a healthcare plan for a teenager with severe allergies and asthma just months before his death, an inquest has heard.
Nasar Ahmed collapsed at Bow school, east London, on 10 November last year during a detention, and died four days later. The 14-year-old had asthma, severe eczema and was allergic to a host of foods including fish, nuts, wheat, apples and oranges, requiring him to have access to an EpiPen.Nasar Ahmed collapsed at Bow school, east London, on 10 November last year during a detention, and died four days later. The 14-year-old had asthma, severe eczema and was allergic to a host of foods including fish, nuts, wheat, apples and oranges, requiring him to have access to an EpiPen.
But, on 3 May last year, school nurse Goddard Edwards assessed Nasar’s allergy plan as mild to moderate, rather than severe. He also failed to follow up on incomplete records of Nasar’s medication that needed to be kept at the school, an inquest at Poplar coroner’s court into the year nine pupil’s death heard. But on 3 May last year school nurse Goddard Edwards assessed Nasar’s allergy plan as mild to moderate, rather than severe. He also failed to follow up on incomplete records of Nasar’s medication that needed to be kept at the school, an inquest at Poplar coroner’s court into the year nine pupil’s death heard.
The school had two epipens in case Nasar showed symptoms of an anaphylactic allergic reaction but records of his medication that needed to be kept at the school were incomplete, with use of the epipen not mentioned. The school had two EpiPens in case Nasar showed symptoms of an anaphylactic allergic reaction but records of his medication that needed to be kept at the school were incomplete, with use of the EpiPens not mentioned.
“The epipen doesn’t figure on this particular plan,” Edwards told the inquest. “I accept that this was an oversight on my part.” “The EpiPen doesn’t figure on this particular plan,” Edwards told the inquest. “I accept that this was an oversight on my part.”
He admitted failing to follow up and review Nasar’s medication needs after asking a receptionist to tell his mother she needed to bring up a new epipen and inhaler for him. He admitted failing to follow up and review Nasar’s medication needs after asking a receptionist to tell his mother she needed to bring up a new EpiPen and inhaler for him.
But when asked how he would characterise his care for Nasar, Edwards said: “I fulfilled my duties. I am happy with the care I gave Nasar.”But when asked how he would characterise his care for Nasar, Edwards said: “I fulfilled my duties. I am happy with the care I gave Nasar.”
Coroner Mary Hassell told him she was “surprised to hear that” given what he had told the court.Coroner Mary Hassell told him she was “surprised to hear that” given what he had told the court.
The inquest also heard that there were no requirements for staff on duty to know of Nasar’s medical requirements. Teacher Arlette Matumona, responsible for pupils’ medical needs, explained to the court that staff were told to check pupils’ medical records at the start of the school year. But she said support staff, who would not have come into daily contact with Nasar, had been on duty that day and may have failed to check.The inquest also heard that there were no requirements for staff on duty to know of Nasar’s medical requirements. Teacher Arlette Matumona, responsible for pupils’ medical needs, explained to the court that staff were told to check pupils’ medical records at the start of the school year. But she said support staff, who would not have come into daily contact with Nasar, had been on duty that day and may have failed to check.
“Some staff will and some staff won’t check [the school’s information system] as a matter of course,” said Matumona.“Some staff will and some staff won’t check [the school’s information system] as a matter of course,” said Matumona.
Asked by the family’s lawyer, Sam Jacobs, on whether they should have done so, she said, with respect to support staff not responsible for teaching a particular pupil: “I am not sure.”Asked by the family’s lawyer, Sam Jacobs, on whether they should have done so, she said, with respect to support staff not responsible for teaching a particular pupil: “I am not sure.”
Jacobs also asked Matumona if it was realistic for staff to remember a child’s medical needs after checking at the start of the year. The teacher replied: “Perhaps we could have it so that it’s displayed somewhere or have a list for those children in exclusion.”Jacobs also asked Matumona if it was realistic for staff to remember a child’s medical needs after checking at the start of the year. The teacher replied: “Perhaps we could have it so that it’s displayed somewhere or have a list for those children in exclusion.”
Nasar was rushed to hospital after collapsing in the exclusion room and put on oxygen but a brain scan showed the year nine pupil was unresponsive. He died on 14 November.Nasar was rushed to hospital after collapsing in the exclusion room and put on oxygen but a brain scan showed the year nine pupil was unresponsive. He died on 14 November.
The inquest continues.The inquest continues.