School trips are an exciting and important part of school life and there is no reason for a child with diabetes to be excluded.
When going on any trip remember to take a copy of the child’s diabetes record card – see the back cover for a record card you can use.
Day trips
Going on a day trip should not cause any real problems, as the routine will be much like that at school.
The child should take:
- their insulin and injection kit, for a lunchtime injection or in case of any delays over their usual injection time
- their blood testing kit
- hypo remedies
- pump supplies (if appropriate)
- extra food/snacks in case of delays.
Overnight stays
With overnight stays, the child’s routine will certainly include insulin administration and blood glucose monitoring, even if these are not routinely done in school. If the child cannot do their own injections/manage their pump and/or check their own blood glucose levels, this will need to be done by a member of staff. Staff should meet with the child’s parent/carer or PDSN well in advance of the trip to discuss what help is required and who will assist.
While away, if any medical equipment has been lost or forgotten, contact the paediatric department or Accident and Emergency department at the nearest hospital, who will be able to help.
Going abroad
If you are travelling outside the UK, you may find the following information useful:
Travel and diabetes, which gives advice on managing diabetes confidently away from home.
Diabetes UK country guides contain information about local foods and diabetes care, and translations of useful phrases.
It is important to check that travel insurance taken will cover pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes, in case of a medical emergency.
An emergency identity card may be a useful item to carry.