We are petitioning for children with medical conditions that require immediate, life-saving intramuscular injections in times of emergency whilst at school. This is the case for children with diabetes and those with rare conditions such as adrenal insufficiency/ hypopituitarism.

Currently, many state schools are not equipped, supported, or willing to administer these medications, despite having a duty of care to the children entrusted to them. This gap in policy and resources leaves families deeply concerned and, in some cases, places lives at unacceptable risk.

While emergencies may be rare, the consequences of delay are life-threatening. These medications are prescribed to act immediately — not after a parent arrives, and not once an ambulance reaches the school.

As parents, we are forced into impossible choices:

• Limiting our children to schools willing to manage their medical needs
• Paying for private schools or those with on-site nurses
• Withdrawing from the workforce or remaining constantly on call
• Considering home schooling, not by choice but by necessity

This is not equitable, not inclusive, and does not reflect Australia’s value of a “fair go.”

We are asking the Government to:

• Review policies relating to life-saving injections and provided updated policies ensuring trained personnel or healthcare support are willing to administer these injections within schools
• Increase access to nurses and clinical support to assist schools in managing high-risk medical conditions
• Develop robust, easily actionable emergency plans to ensure immediate care when needed

Healthcare professionals understand the seriousness of delayed administration. Parents live with this risk every day. We should not have to wait for a tragedy to be heard.

We are not asking for special treatment.
We are asking for safety, equity, and dignity for our children.

Please act now — before a preventable tragedy occurs.