AN angry mother has told how her son was given an overdose of medicine by a teacher at his school.

Marcus Malone was admitted to Darlington Memorial Hospital struggling to breathe and with high blood pressure after the mistake by a teacher.

The nine-year-old boy had been given his medication at lunchtime.

Staff at Gurney Pease Primary School, in Darlington, immediately realised the dose was too big and took him to hospital.

The local education authority has admitted a mistake was made, but the National Union of Teachers believes their members should not be shouldered with the responsibility of administering medicines to children in the first place.

Marcus has to take two methylphenidate (Ritalin) tablets every day for his attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

He takes a 10mg tablet every morning at home and is given a second 5mg tablet at lunchtime at school.

Last Monday, a support teacher incorrectly gave him a 20mg tablet - four times his normal dose.

His mother, Caroline, received a call from the school at about 1.20pm to say he had taken the overdose.

Marcus was taken to hospital and admitted to the day unit because he was struggling to breathe and had high blood pressure. He was allowed home at 5.30pm.

He returned to school the next day.

Mrs Malone said: "They just had to wait for the medication to get out of his system."

But she was angry her son had been given an incorrect dose.

She said: "They shouldn't have done it. I have had no apology from the school. They have overdosed my son and I cannot get any help.

"I was just so angry. The mistake could have killed him. When you take your child to school you want him to be safe - he is in the school's hands."

Marcus has taken the medication for a year, during which time there have been no other problems.

Mrs Malone suggested a registered nurse should administer the dose rather than one of the teachers.

She also said since the incident, two teachers have been present when he takes the medication.

A Darlington Borough Council spokesman said: "This was a genuine mistake, which was immediately realised.

"The school contacted the pupil's mother and his GP, who advised that he should be taken to hospital to be checked over.

"A member of staff took him to hospital, where they were met by his mother. The school is extremely sorry about the incident."

Elaine Kay, northern regional secretary for the NUT, said medication should be given by properly trained staff, who are aware of the associated risks.

She said: "We would always advise teachers that they do not administer medication. It is not part of their role and responsibility.

"It should be given by properly qualified staff who know how to give it properly."