Schools 'failing diabetic children'
Updated on 13 November 2008
The health of 84% of children with diabetes could be at risk because of failings in England's primary schools.
Diabetes UK is calling for Government action to improve support provided for children suffering from the condition.
A report by the charity, published to mark World Diabetes Day on November 14, shows that up to 6,500 children with type 1 diabetes could be at risk because only 16% of the primary schools they attend have a medications policy and administer insulin.
This often means parents have to go in every day to administer the drug, or children have to change their injection times regardless of the impact on their health, according to the report.
Some parents have also told the charity that their children have been made to eat alone, inject insulin in school toilets or, in one case, wait outside the school gates until a nurse arrives.
Douglas Smallwood, Chief Executive of Diabetes UK, says: "It is unacceptable for medication regimes to be changed to fit around school hours. Children must have the most appropriate treatment for their diabetes and be properly supported in managing their condition.
"Where parents have to step in to give insulin injections during school hours, we hear all too often that they are unable to work because they have to go into school every day - this is unacceptable and can put heart-breaking strain on families both financially and emotionally."
If not managed effectively, diabetes can lead to long-term complications such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure and amputation.
Short-term complications include hypoglycaemic episodes, which can lead to unconsciousness and hospitalisation if left untreated.
Effective diabetes management can reduce the risk of these complications.
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