The need for an Allergy Tsar – a champion for the one in three people living with allergies – has never been greater.
Latest Government figures show 2.4million adults now have a food allergy in this county, asthma deaths have increased by 33 per cent in a decade and it is estimated that one in 1,333 of the population has experienced anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening reaction to food, drugs, insect stings at some point in their lives.
In addition, five independent reports over the last two decades have highlighted the failings in allergy care in this country.
Furthermore, it’s not just the number of people affected by allergy that is increasing, it’s severity of the condition too: hospital admissions for severe allergic reactions to food have more than tripled in the last 20 years.
Yet, of the 45 national leads appointed by NHS England, not one of them is dedicated to supporting the 20million people living with allergic disease.
Nor is there any mention of allergy in the Long-Term NHS Plan.
The lack of a national lead for allergy has also been raised time and time again by coroners at the inquests of those who died following severe allergic reactions.
As we approach a General Election on Thursday July 4, we urge the parties contesting the election to pledge that if they form the next Government, to give greater priority to allergy and commit to appointing the Allergy Tsar, to develop a coherent approach to allergies in this country, to support those campaigning for change, and ensure those affected get the care they need.
This is an opportunity to lead and tackle this modern-day epidemic that affects thousands of people in every constituency.
Voters support the appointment of an Allergy Tsar; 20,000 people signed a Parliamentary petition calling for the appointment of a tsar.
Today we are adding our voice to theirs, to underscore the importance of the incoming Government appointing an Allergy Tsar.
Now is the time to act to prevent more unnecessary deaths and ill health from allergy.
How many more children can we afford to lose through largely preventable fatal allergic reactions?
Signatories
Tanya Ednan-Laperouse OBE
Nadim Ednan-Laperouse OBE
Alex Ednan-Laperouse
Jack Fowler, Foundation Ambassador
Megan McKenna, Foundation Ambassador
Kate Lancaster, Founder, The Dairy Free Mum
Bethany Crowder, Natasha’s best friend
Maxine North, Foundation Ambassador, mother of Jess
Delyth and Graham Raffell, Ellen’s parents
Ashleigh Grice, Celia Marsh’s daughter
Emma Turay, Foundation Ambassador, mother of Shanté
Simon, Angela, Niamh, Rowan and Ciara Baxendale, family of Óla Baxendale
Paul Carey and Emma Kocher, Owen’s Law Campaign
Jill and Stuart Atkinson, parents of James
Clare Bristow, Founder and CEO, Sadie Bristow Foundation
Adam and Gemma Lee, parents of Megan Lee
Dr and Mrs Briess, parents of Alexandra Briess
Helen Blyth, Founder of the Benedict Blyth Foundation
Julie and Tom Martin, The Amy May Trust
Billy Hoque, Foundation Ambassador
Jamie Hoque, parents to two young children with food allergies
Emeritus Professor Michael H. Depledge CBE FRS FRCP
Professor Helen Brough, Consultant in Paediatric Allergies and Foundation Medical Advisor
Natalie Hopkins, Founder, The Allergy Badge
Professor Adam Fox, Professor of Paediatric Allergies and Chair of the joint National Allergy Strategy Group/Department of Health and Social Care Expert Advisory Group for Allergy
James Bailey, Executive Director, Waitrose
Professor Sir Stephen Holgate, MRC Professor of Immunopharmacology and Consultant Physician, University Hospital Southampton
Professor Graham Roberts, President, The British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI)
Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije, Foundation Ambassador
Dr Paul Turner, Consultant in Paediatric Allergy and Immunology
Jon Cruddas, Former MP and Chair of the Allergy All-Party Parliamentary Group
Andrew Selley, CEO Bidcorp UK
Tim Smith CBE, Chairman of Cranswick and Trustee, The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation
Jeremy Hyam KC, Trustee, The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation
Paul Lindley OBE, Founder Ella’s Kitchen and former Chair, London’s Child Obesity Taskforce
Pano Christou, CEO, Pret A Manger
Clare Clough, Pret A Manger, UK and Ireland Managing Director
Liljia Polo-Richards, Allergy Companions
Martin Day, Founder of Leigh Day Solicitors
Lord and Lady Mendelsohn
Nick Buckley, Trustee, The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation
Tom-Montagu-Pollock, Trustee, The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation
Stella Huyton, Trustee, The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation
Professor Daniel Ray, Trustee, The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation
Professor Hasan Arshad, Professor for Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Julianne Ponan MBE, Founder of Top 14 Allergen Free Brand Creative Nature and allergy campaigner
Professor Gideon Lack, Professor of Paediatric Allergy, King’s College London
