Horror at Wales school as '15 children stabbed’ with insulin needle
FIFTEEN children were “stabbed” with a diabetic insulin needle by a fellow pupil, it has been claimed.
The incident happened last week at St Joseph’s Junior School in Port Talbot, according to Wales Online, and prompted the school to issue an apology to parents. An unnamed source claimed a young boy used the needle he had found to hurt his peers, who have all been offered medical advice and treatment at Morrison Hospital in Swansea. "A boy got hold of a diabetic insulin needle," said the source.
"He stabbed 15 other pupils over the space of two hours, another child had to remove it and got pricked in the process."
Neath Port Talbot Council, the local authority which oversees the school, declined to confirm the number of children affected by the stabbing.
Headteacher of St Joseph’s, Mrs Caroline May, said staff had called a meeting with parents of the pupils who suffered needle-stick injuries to discuss the incident and said the school is reviewing procedures.
She said: "The school would again like to express its sincere apologies to all pupils involved.
"All pupils involved have been assessed by medical professionals and we have had reassurances that there is no further cause for concern.
"The school has since met with the parents of these pupils to discuss the issue and is reviewing its procedures around pupils who need to self-medicate to mitigate any future risks of such an incident reoccurring.”
The NHS advice for people who have been injured by needles says first aid advice should be sought immediately.
It says wounds must not be scrubbed but encouraging them to bleed by holding the area under running water is a good idea.
Andy Macnab, emergency medicine consultant at Morriston Hospital, said injuries from needles are relatively common and are usually “low risk”.
He said: “We are making arrangements to see each of the children and offer them appropriate advice and treatment.”