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Food allergy affects around 7-8% of children worldwide, or about two children in an average-sized classroom. As children spend at least 20% of their waking hours in school, it is not surprising that data show that 18% of food allergy reactions and 25% of first-time anaphylactic reactions occur at school. This report by the Benedict Blythe Foundations looks at the prevalence and seriousness of allergies in school-aged children, and the devastating consequences when things go wrong at school. The report makes a number of recommendations to improve the safety of children with food allergies in UK schools, including changes to the law. The report recommends: 1. Making it mandatory for all schools: to have an allergy policy, including an anaphylaxis plan for pupils with food allergies, an IHP and anaphylaxis action plan completed (and regularly updated) collaboratively by the child, parents/carers and school staff to hold spare AAIs that are in-date to implement training for school staff and teachers on allergies and anaphylaxis and a whole school allergy awareness approach 2. Government funding for the additional cost to schools for AAIs and training 3. DfE/FSA commissioned research into the effectiveness of approaches and interventions to optimise the preparedness of schools for preventing allergic reactions and managing anaphylaxis 4. Adherence to these measures to be checked as part of schools’ assessments by Ofsted

Pharmaswiss Česka republika s.r.o. and distributor Bausch & Lomb UK Limited is recalling all unexpired batches of Emerade 500 micrograms and Emerade 300 micrograms adrenaline auto-injectors (also referred to as pens) from patients. This is due to an issue identified during an ISO 11608 Design Assessment study where some auto-injectors failed to deliver the product or activated prematurely. Specifically, the 1-metre free-fall (vertical orientation) pre-conditioning resulted in damage to internal components of the auto-injector, leading either to failure to deliver the product or premature activation. This damage was not visibly apparent following the pre-conditioning but was evident only on subsequent functional testing. It is unclear what impact this has on auto-injectors in clinical use, however as a precautionary measure and owing to the inability to identify this issue before the auto-injectors are used, the auto-injectors are being recalled. Healthcare professionals should inform patients, or carers of patients, who carry Emerade 300 or 500 microgram auto-injector pens to obtain a prescription for and be supplied with an alternative brand. They should then be informed to return their Emerade 300 or 500 microgram pens to their local pharmacy.

Anaphylaxis is a severe and often sudden allergic reaction that occurs when someone with allergies is exposed to something they are allergic to (known as an allergen). Anaphylaxis is potentially life-threatening, and always requires an immediate emergency response. Between 10 May 2017 and 10 May 2019, 55 hospital trusts reported 77 incidents relating to allergens in hospital, three of which involved the patient going into anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening condition. This e-learning course is for nurses, healthcare assistants, ward managers, staff educators, directors of nursing, dieticians and anyone else involved in patient care on the ward. It has been designed to equip participants with knowledge and understanding about food allergies so that they can ensure the necessary processes are in place to keep inpatients with food allergies safe. The course takes around two hours to complete and can be completed at any pace. It covers the following topics: Understanding anaphylaxis The treatment of anaphylaxis Food allergens and understanding labels Roles and responsibilities in hospitals Practical management of food allergies in hospital