Students at Byford John Calvin School put at risk of blood borne diseases from botched blood sugar testing

A primary school in Perth’s south is at the centre of a terrifying health scare after several children were pricked with the same needle in a botched blood sugar testing exercise. Students at Byford John Calvin School have now been warned to get tested for blood borne diseases after the presentation to mark World Diabetes Day on Friday. The children had their fingers pricked to demonstrate blood sugar testing, but it later came to light that the needle was not changed between each use. “On Saturday, the BJCS Principal informed you of a situation that occurred as part of World Diabetes Day where some students took part in a blood sugar finger prick test,” a letter, sent to parents on Monday, said. “Since advising you of this matter, more information has come to light, and it has been confirmed that the lancet (needle) used for the finger prick test was not changed in between every use. “This gives rise to concern about the possibility of blood-borne transmissible disease.” The letter to parents advised them that the Perth Public Health Unit had been contacted and would provide the “optional” testing for affected students. “In the interests of prioritising the health and wellbeing of your child, WA Health is advising that affected students and staff undergo a blood test to test for these viruses,” the letter said. “It will allow WA Health to better assess the risk and determine if any transmission may have occurred.” A frustrated parent of one of the children caught up in the scare said they never consented to the tests and they have not been told if it was a private organisation or school staff who administered them. When The West Australian asked the school whether it was an external organisation arranged to do the testing, a spokesperson responded: “No comment.” The school also refused to say how many students were impacted but that it had contacted the families of all those involved. “The safety and wellbeing of our students are our paramount consideration, and we will be seeking to learn from this once our investigation is complete,” the spokesperson said. Apart from the school’s investigation, it is unclear if there will be any independent investigation into how, and why, students were unknowingly put at risk. The Department of Education is responsible for ensuring the regulation of non-government schools, but it declined to comment on the matter and referred responsibility to the Association of Independent Schools Western Australia. AISWA wouldn’t say whether it would be conducting its own independent investigation either, instead referring to the same advice provided by the school. “The school has made appropriate reports to all Government authorities,” a spokesperson said. “Byford John Calvin School will undertake a full internal review of the circumstances surrounding the incident. AISWA is maintaining communication with the school and will provide support as needed throughout this process.” North Metropolitan Health Service, which is responsible for the Public Health Unit, declined to comment on the specifics of the incident. But a spokesperson said the risk to students was deemed to be low. “WA Health was not involved in the World Diabetes Day presentation at the school,” the spokesperson said. “WA Health was contacted to safely manage the incident.” Education Minister Sabine Winton said the Department of Health would continue to assist the school and families involved. “The wellbeing of students must be the top priority, and I understand this would be a stressful time for students, parents, and educators at the school,” she said. “While this relates to a non-government school, my expectation is that the Department of Education monitors the response to this situation.”