One in three school staff give medical care without proper training, GMB warns

One in three school support staff are carrying out medical procedures for pupils without the necessary training or formal responsibility, according to a GMB survey of nearly 10,000 staff.

The union’s report found staff providing intimate and complex care — including catheterisation, rectal medication, tracheostomy care, tube (PEG) feeding, colostomy bag assistance, refilling oxygen tanks, stoma care, seizure support and line safety — often without adequate preparation.

Even among those who had received some training, a third said it was not delivered by a healthcare professional, and only one in 10 respondents believed medical support was part of their job description.

Three-quarters of respondents said their school does not have a nurse on site to support pupils’ medical needs.

GMB has called for an NHS-led service with trained nurses in every state-funded school, saying clinical tasks should not fall to untrained education staff.

Stacey Booth, GMB National Officer, said: “Thousands of school support staff are giving medical support to pupils when it is not their responsibility and without adequate training.

“It’s a terribly distressing situation for children, parents and staff.

“We must have an NHS trained nurse in all state schools, to support workers and let them concentrate on educating our children to be safe in the knowledge that all pupil’s needs will be met.

“Clinical tasks must be carried out by NHS staff ensuring the best health care provision for all children.”