Benedict's Law - Allergy Safety In Schools

But we've got an interesting one this time because we're talking about, well, in the UK, a thing called Benedict's Law.

And what this is, it's about allergy safety in schools.

So, Louise, could you give us a little bit of a background of this and why we are where we are with this?

Yeah, I mean, it is something that schools absolutely should embrace and now have to.

It's mandatory.

There have been a lot of deaths, unfortunately, in school-aged children at school.

And as a result, one of those little ones, his name was Benedict Blythe.

Back in 2021, he passed away following a reaction anaphylaxis whilst at school.

And like I said, unfortunately, he passed away.

There's been tireless work going on behind the scenes by parents, grieving parents, to increase the awareness in schools and not just make it something that people need to be aware of, but also that it's mandatory that you understand about allergies and the risks.

You are, as I've always said, you're the first person on scene.

You are the lifesaver in that situation, and especially when it comes to anaphylaxis and small children.

So it's absolutely essential.

And I'm just really pleased that now it's being brought out as full guidance and it's a law.

It's not something that you can take or leave.

It's something they absolutely have to do.

Looking at some of the statistics about this and one of the reasons that this law has been brought in and the full name of the law, by the way, is the Children's Wellbeing and School Act 2026.

So if you want to go and look it up on the government website, there we go.

One in five UK anaphylactic deaths are in school-aged children and occur while they're at school.

So that's 20%, up to 20% of severe anaphylactic reactions in schools happen to children who have no prior diagnosed allergy, which is also quite important.

And one of the things that we're going to be talking about is training and what is available in schools, what's going to be available in schools.

Let's have a little look at these guidelines, Louise.

And then as it goes along, I'll ask you any questions that I think people who are listening might want asked about it.