CHILDREN with medical conditions are being excluded from travelling on school buses in Monmouthshire, according to the parent of a five-year-old Trellech School pupil.

Oliver has an allergy to peanuts, and he needs to carry an EpiPen with him at all times should he ingest any food containing nuts and have an anaphylactic reaction.

“I filled out the declaration form when I applied for school transport and notified them of Oliver’s condition,” his mum, Laura, told the Beacon, “and when he started Reception class in Trellech School, the bus driver made him sit by her in case of any emergency.

“But the school transport contracts were redrawn halfway through the school year and the drivers are now contracted to not ‘administer medicine’ under any circumstance; with any incident they are only able to call 999 and wait for an ambulance technician to administer medicine which in most incidents would be too late”. 

This is a specific worry to any children who carry required medicine including asthma inhalers and insulin for diabetics.

She received a letter from the Transport Passenger Manager, Richard Cope informing her that Oliver can no longer take the school bus as the new coach company cannot accept children requiring an EpiPen.

The EpiPen is a simple pen-like syringe with a discrete needle designed to immediately inject adrenaline and should be done within 60 seconds of an anaphylactic reaction. Anyone at risk is advised to carry the adrenaline auto-injector with them at all times as an immediate injection of adrenaline could be the difference between life and death.

The authority offered Laura 45p per mile to take her son to school herself until they can resolve the issue.

She is now concerned there is no procedure for pre-diagnosed conditions implemented on school journeys.

“I do have grave concern for the other children with common pre-diagnosed illnesses such as diabetes, asthma and allergies in the care of Monmouthshire County Council’s contractors. All these conditions require instant life-saving medication and knowing that your drivers are legally not allowed to aid children as young as four in doing this seems the safeguarding and transport team are both failing the children of Monmouth.”

She has written to Abigail Barton, Communications and Engagement Officer with MCC, and was told that to resolve the problem, it will take over a year.

Laura has suggested that the PTU should implement some form of escort to accompany her child and others in his condition, to ensure their safe arrival at school but was told due to insufficient funds, this could not be done.

County councillor Debbie Blakebrough said: “The authority has created a ludicrous situation which lacks common sense and compassion.

“At the moment in the absence of a policy Monmouthshire are telling parents that they are excluding children with an additional need from using school transport.”

A Monmouthshire County Council spokesperson said: “Our priority is and continues to be transporting pupils to school safely. In the short term we are providing funding for this child’s parents to arrange transport themselves while we work through options. We will keep everyone updated.”