Premium
An observational study investigating the health provision for children with epilepsy within secondary schools in the East Midlands, UK
Author(s) -
Dunkley C.,
Waldron B.,
Ahmad N.,
Whitehouse W.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
child: care, health and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.832
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1365-2214
pISSN - 0305-1862
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2214.2003.00373.x
Subject(s) - mainstream , epilepsy , population , observational study , medicine , health care , family medicine , medical education , psychology , psychiatry , environmental health , political science , pathology , law
Background Epilepsy is a common medical condition affecting many children in mainstream education. The practice of local secondary schools and the health service with regard to pupils with epilepsy was examined. The extent to which these children had activities at schools restricted and the schools’ perception of the health service with regard to epilepsy was explored. Method A structured interview was conducted with selected staff members from mainstream secondary schools in East Midlands region, UK. Results Fourteen out of 17 schools participated. Fifty‐seven children were identified from a total pupil population of 14 534. Seven schools used the DOH/DfEE (The Department of Health/Department for Education and Employment) ‘Supporting Pupils with Medical Needs’ publication as a resource. No schools created individual health care plans for children with epilepsy. Six out of seven schools reported appropriate provision for children during swimming activities. The commonest restriction was related to computer use. Nine schools stated a need for more training for staff members with regard to seizure management. Conclusions Schools rely heavily on obtaining medical information from non‐medical sources. Individual health care plans for children with epilepsy are not commonly undertaken. Few children had any restriction or special provision placed upon them because of their epilepsy except in the area of computer use. Further action is needed to consider how the system for providing for such children can be improved so that each child's individual health needs can be satisfactorily met.