A MOTHER has pleaded with a council to change its rules barring school bus staff from giving life saving medicines to children passengers.

Pauline Wheeler, from Corwen, spoke to councillors at today’s full meeting of Denbighshire council after she found out her daughter would not be given a life saving rescue medication on her school bus in an emergency.

Mrs Wheeler’s 15 year old daughter, Elisa, has cerebral palsy and recently developed epilepsy.

Her daughter can have life-threatening seizures lasting up to half an hour. But a simple rescue remedy, called Buccolam, can be given through a syringe that has no sharp needle, like one that comes with a Calpol bottle.

Pauline Walker, mother of 15-year-old Elisha who has epilepsy, says Denbighshire County Council is asking her to play "Russian roulette" with her daughter.

Since Mrs Wheeler’s daughter has been prescribed Buccolam, she has been taken to school by her mother because of the policy.

Mrs Wheeler works on Thursday and Fridays meaning Elisa has had to miss school on those days.

But Denbighshire council has told Mrs Wheeler that drivers on her one-hour bus journey from Corwen to Wrexham, where she attends a specialist school, cannot administer the medicine.

Instead they would have to return her to her home or take her to school for somebody trained in administering the medication to do so.

If they are at the halfway point, an ambulance would have to be called.

Mrs Wheeler said: “I think the policy itself cannot possibly be right. To treat epilepsy in such a cavalier manner is disgraceful.

“People are being placed in danger just because they can’t have a rescue medication and someone trained to do it.

“Parents are not going to play Russian roulette with their children putting them on the bus and sending them to school knowing there will be no help available for them.

“Are they going to come home? Are they going to be in the same condition when they come home? The policy is wrong and it has to change.”

Cllr Brian Jones the lead member responsible for school transport said: “I’ve looked into your question. Denbighshire council does have a learner transport policy … there are discretionary arrangements … this policy allows for each specific case to be evaluated according to the pupils needs.”

Mrs Wheeler responded that rescue medication for epileptic children should be included.

Cllr Jones said he would write back to her on this within seven days.

Mrs Wheeler has also been told that the council will provide a carer to travel with her daughter who will be allowed to administer her medication if needed, however she remains concerned that this will not be automatically provided to all students in a similar situation.

Cynwyd county councillor, Mabon ap Gwynfor said: “It’s wrong that a disabled pupil is put at risk in this way, and that her family are having to suffer the anxiety every day. The council needs to look at this transport policy again so that no pupil’s welfare or health is threatened.”