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welshgirl
06-09-2013, 12:16 PM
Really need some help, mindee has just found out he has a nut allergy and has been given an epipen. He has been told he is ok to have food that has been labelled 'may contain traces of nuts'. Mum brought epipen over for me today (I'm not working today) I'm not sue what forms/paperwork I need to do. I'm guessing I will need a care plan and maybe a RA for the epipen. I'm really not sure what to write or how to do a care plan. Could someone share one with me that I can adjust/amend. Also not sure where best to store it, is it ok to have it in my first aid box, I take the box on outings too. Or should it be stored elsewhere and put in a seperate bag for outings?

maisiemog
06-09-2013, 12:26 PM
You aren't allowed to administer it until you have received training technically! Although I'm not sure any of us would be able to sit there and not do it! Our first aid trainer said to ring 999 and get them to verbally tell you to do it as they record the phonecalls and are medically trained so you are covered.

If imagine paperwork wise you would need a risk assessment, medical form, consent form and maybe a policy as well?!

Goatgirl
06-09-2013, 12:40 PM
Hi :),
I had a lo with anaphylactic allergic reactions but no allergen was identified. I can't remember where I got the information, but I had to be trained in the use of an epipen, specific to the lo's symptoms and Have a care plan so that I and Mum (and presumably the insurance company) would have a procedure to follow in case of a reaction. I would call Ofsted to ask and possibly your insurance company. If you need training, Mum will need to ask the prescribing GP.

I was lucky in that lo also went to local pre-school and the nurse who did the training did it there, so went through their care plan with me etc. It listed things that might cause a reaction, steps we would take to prevent exposure, what signs we would look out for to notice a reaction, at what point we would contact parent/administer antihistamine/use epipen and when to call ambulance, whether we would go with child in ambulance (plan for emergency care of other children), or leave child in care of paramedics etc. Then Mum read through with me, we added notes and both signed it. It also had date and location of training, trainer's name and signature of trainer. That's from memory, so will probably be more info needed.
In the event, lo did have more severe reactions elsewhere, but never with me and the most I had to do was administer antihistamine medicine and get written evidence that I had informed Mum and pre-school if it was used and also let pre-school know if he had any 'possible' symptoms so that they could keep an extra vigilant eye on him for worsening symptoms.

Sounds alot. But it was fine and I found having a thorough care plan made me feel very confident that I would be prepared and able to stay calm for the children in the event. :thumbsup:

Goatgirl
06-09-2013, 12:49 PM
storage just had to be risk assessed for inaccessibility to children and a definite 'it will always be where we think it is and easy to retrieve' plan

welshgirl
06-09-2013, 02:05 PM
Thank you, would first aid training be sufficient, I received training last month and it covered use of an epipen, we used dummy ones to practice with. I have never done/seen a care plan before, can anyone share one with me, so I can work out what to write?

Chatterbox Childcare
06-09-2013, 07:47 PM
I would ask for 2 pens - one for you indoors and one for your handbag

Stapleton83
06-09-2013, 09:27 PM
Hi

I am attachind my blank health care plan - don't just use the tiny bit of space make sure you write everything down and that both yo and mum/dad/carer agree it. In terms of getting training it should really be from whoever prescribed it or a healthcare specialist. I would also get something signed by whoever does give you the training to evidence it.#

The LO may have a specialist health professional who in turn provides regular plans and updates on the child's condiition.

In terms of paperwork you will need RAs, note about the child in your first aid box re their allergy for when you are out just in case the re is an accident, signed health care plan by you and mum, training and written confirmation you have been given it (I was advised before I could have the child on the premises and definitely be insured!), written agreement from mum to take emergency contact details and health care info out and about with me, signed consent by mum for you to administer if necessary.

Out of interest is it always the epipen you will use or if there are minor signs of an allergic reaction should you administer some kind of antihistamine like piriton - this was the case for the LO in my care. Re storage somewhere out of reach as per any medicine but with easy access for you should an attack occur. I would agree with Chatterbox if you can have a spare that would be sensible too.

It sounds dire but it isn't. Good luck,

Sam x

mpullen17387
06-09-2013, 09:31 PM
During my St. John's training in January, we where shown how to use them, however require further training when the time comes to taking on a child who needs it, best way we where told is get the parents to get their doctors surgery to show you.

welshgirl
06-09-2013, 09:51 PM
Thank you all so much for your help and info. Thanks for the form, very kind of you to share. We have the same local gp, ill phone the nurse on mon and see if she can train me and sign the form. Do you think that would be ok?

mpullen17387
06-09-2013, 09:58 PM
That sounds good xx

Stapleton83
06-09-2013, 10:02 PM
Thank you all so much for your help and info. Thanks for the form, very kind of you to share. We have the same local gp, ill phone the nurse on mon and see if she can train me and sign the form. Do you think that would be ok?

That sounds like the perfect solution - good luck.

Sam x

charlottenash
06-09-2013, 10:15 PM
Something that hasn't been mentioned but could you do a permission form for parents to sign 'x is allowed to eat any foods that state 'may contain nuts' however cannot eat food that specify nuts as an ingredient' just to cover yourself

welshgirl
09-09-2013, 06:41 PM
Thanks everyone. Couldn't of managed without all your help. X