A Stamford, Lincolnshire-based mother is urgently appealing to the government to introduce spare allergy pens in schools following the tragic death of her five-year-old son from an allergic reaction to cow’s milk. Benedict Blythe suffered a collapse at Barnack Primary School in December 2021 during which an inquest found that a delay in administering his adrenaline pen contributed to his death. Appling pressing pressure, his mother, Helen Blythe, is emphasising the need for quick action, stating: “No parent should lose a child because medication wasn’t there when it was needed. The solutions exist. What’s missing is action.” The campaign for change, named “Benedict’s Law,” has been created to push for the introduction of proper allergy plans in schools.
In tribute to her son, Mrs. Blythe has set up The Benedict Blythe Foundation working closely with Professor Paul Turner of Imperial College London and the National Allergy Strategy Group to publish research advocating for spare allergy pens in all UK schools. The study, appearing in the Archives of Disease In Childhood, shows that such an initiative could potentially be life-saving, reduce NHS medication waste, improve emergency access, and be cost-neutral for most NHS Integrated Care Boards, possibly saving the government more than £4.6 million annually.
However, despite the persuasive evidence, no moves have been made by the Department for Education, thereby putting children at risk as the new school year gets underway. Showing frustration, Mrs Blythe insists that the evidence is “published, peer-reviewed and beyond question.” Benedict’s father, Peter Blythe, also supports the initiative and says that the identified savings could be used to fund national allergy training and to shape policies in schools, amplifying the financial and moral urgency of rectifying the situation.
