Mums renew plea for government allergy tsar

Two mothers have renewed calls for a government allergy tsar following their daughters' deaths from severe allergic reactions.

In a letter to Health Secretary Steve Barclay, Tanya Ednan-Laperouse and Emma Turay, from London, said the deaths were "entirely preventable".

MPs are set to debate two allergy petitions on Monday, including one calling for the introduction of an allergy tsar.

In the letter, Mrs Ednan-Laperouse, from Fulham in west London, and Ms Turay, from Wood Green in north London, tell Mr Barclay: "As mothers, we have come together for change so that our tragedies never happen again.

"There are no clear lines of accountability in relation to overall NHS provision of allergy care, nor for the many other areas where policy change is required.

"This lack of national leadership has been raised time and again by coroners at the inquests of those who died following severe allergic reactions."

Ms Turay explained the issue was raised at the inquest into the death of her daughter, Shante.

"The coroner highlighted the fact that 'there is no person with named accountability for allergy services and allergy provision at NHS England or the Department of Health as a whole'," she said.

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Source: BBC News, 15 May 2023

Further reading:

• Prevention of future deaths report: Alexandra Briess (6 April 2023)
• Why allergies are the Cinderella service of the NHS – a blog by Tim McLachlan