Emergency asthma inhalers for use in schools

From 1st October 2014 the Human Medicines Regulations 2014 will allow schools to keep a salbutamol inhaler for use in emergencies.

It is not compulsory to have a spare emergency inhaler, however if your setting does choose to follow the guidance, it must comply with the following guidelines.

• The inhaler must only be used when a pupil who has been previously diagnosed with asthma has no access to their own inhaler either because it is broken, empty or lost.

• Written consent must be obtained in advance by parents and included as part of a child's individual healthcare plan 

• A register must be on site at all times documenting children in school that have been diagnosed with asthma and a copy of this along with parental consent must be kept with the emergency inhaler 

• Appropriate training and support for staff in the use of the emergency inhalers must be given. 

• At least two volunteers within your staff must be responsible for ensuring the protocol is followed.  

• The inhaler must be stored, cleaned and disposed of using the correct procedures.

• A letter must be sent home to inform parents of emergency Salbutamol inhaler use. 

• For further information, please download the full guidence document on the left of this page.