Who cares for students with epilepsy in mainstream education?

RATIONALE For children with specific healthcare needs, educational staff must be able to act in 'loco parentis', so that families can safely place their child in the school of choice. If a student has unstable epilepsy, staff must know its potential effects on the individual, and understand enough to manage this. Needs will vary from career advice to management issues such as administration of rectal medication. METHOD A pilot study involved two primary school children with unstable epilepsy, whose medical treatment included intermittent rectal Diazepam. The study started in September 1994 and was undertaken by two senior nurses who worked with the school nurses to set up a protocol for each child, family and school respectively, that was clear, workable and safe. RESULTS By September 1995 all school nurses in Leicester/Leicestershire had been trained in epilepsy awareness, the safe administration of rectal Diazepam and the legal implications of volunteers administering medicines in schools. In 1996 school nurses were caretaking the scheme and initiating the uninitiated. The conclusion was that it is possible to train staff in the mainstream educational environment in the special health needs of children with unstable epilepsy thereby supporting continued attendance at the school of choice.