Boy died after school failed to use EpiPen
THE parents of a boy who died after suffering an allergic reaction at school have criticised staff who did not give him his EpiPen as he lay dying.
Nasar Ahmed’s mother accused staff of ‘failing in their duty of care’ by not administering adrenaline to the 14-year-old after he collapsed and began foaming at the mouth.
The teenager, who had severe asthma and food allergies, died four days after the incident at Bow School in East London last November from a brain injury brought on by the allergic reaction. Yesterday a coroner said ‘there is a possibility’ Nasar might have survived had his EpiPen been used promptly.
Speaking outside Poplar Coroner’s Court, his mother Ferdousi Zaman said: ‘If he has anaphylaxis I give him his EpiPen. [School staff] are first-aiders, they are more knowledgeable than me. They have failed their duty of care.’
Coroner Mary Hassell said she would be sending out five Prevention of Future Death reports, including to Bow School and the London Ambulance Service – whose paramedic told school staff over the phone not to give Nasar adrenaline before they arrived.
The Year Nine pupil had a host of allergies including to milk, nuts, and wheat. But the inquest heard his school care plan did not mention an EpiPen or using adrenaline to tackle his allergies.
Miss Hassell said staff were meant to familiarise themselves with care plans, but often failed to do so unless going on a school trip.
Nasar was in detention when he started complaining of breathing problems two hours after lunch.
He called for his inhaler before collapsing, turning blue and foaming at the mouth. Staff who fought to save him had access to an inhaler and his EpiPen for five minutes before paramedics arrived, but were unsure whether to use them.
Miss Hassell said: ‘The lack of familiarity... with Nasar’s allergy action plan and medication box used up time in an extremely time critical situation.’ Returning a narrative conclusion, she said: ‘If the EpiPen had been used promptly and Nasar ... there is a possibility but not a probability that this would have changed the outcome.’
Bow School said it had ‘rigorously reviewed all of our safety procedures and are providing more training for staff across the board’.