The need for an Allergy Czar, a champion for the one in three people living with allergies, has never been greater.
The latest government figures show that 2.4 million adults in the region have a food allergy, that asthma deaths have increased by 33 percent in ten years and that an estimated one in 1,333 people has ever had anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening reaction to food, medicine or insect stings.
In addition, five independent reports over the past two decades have highlighted the shortcomings in allergy care in this country.
Moreover, not only is the number of people with allergies increasing, but also the severity of the condition: hospital admissions due to severe allergic reactions to food have more than tripled in the past twenty years.
Yet none of the 45 national leaders appointed by NHS England are committed to supporting the 20 million people living with an allergic condition.
There is also no mention of allergies in the long-term NHS plan.
The lack of a national indicator of allergy has also been raised time and time again by coroners when investigating those who have died as a result of severe allergic reactions.
As we approach the general election on Thursday 4 July, we urge the parties contesting the election to pledge that if they form the next government, they will give greater priority to allergies and commit to appointing an Allergy Tsar, to developing a coherent approach to allergies in the fight against allergies in this country, to supporting those campaigning for change and to ensuring those affected get the care they need.
This is an opportunity to lead and tackle this modern epidemic that is affecting thousands of people in every constituency.
Voters support the appointment of an Allergy Czar; 20,000 people signed a petition in Parliament calling for the appointment of a Tsar.
Today we add our voice to theirs to underline the importance of the new government appointing an allergy czar.
Now is the time to take action to prevent more unnecessary deaths and ill health from allergies.
How many more children can we afford to lose to 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 of 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, daughter of Celia Marsh
Emma Turay, Ambassador of the Foundation, 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 of the 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, ambassador of the Foundation
Jamie Hoque, parents of two young children with food allergies
Emeritus Professor Michael H. Depledge CBE FRS FRCP
Professor Helen Brough, consultant in pediatric allergies and medical advisor to the foundation
Natalie Hopkins, founder of the Allergy Badge
Professor Adam Fox, Professor of Pediatric Allergy 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 of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI)
Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije, Ambassador of the Foundation
Dr. Paul Turner, consultant in pediatric allergy and immunology
Jon Cruddas, former MP and chairman of the Allergy All-Party parliamentary group
Andrew Selley, CEO of Bidcorp UK
Tim Smith CBE, Chairman of Cranswick and Trustee of the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation
Jeremy Hyam KC, Trustee, The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation
Paul Lindley OBE, founder of Ella’s Kitchen and former chairman of London’s Child Obesity Taskforce
Pano Christou, CEO of Pret A Manger
Clare Clough, Pret A Manger, Managing Director UK and Ireland
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, board member of the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation
Stella Huyton, trustee of the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation
Professor Daniel Ray, Trustee of the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation
Professor Hasan Arshad, Professor of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Julianne Ponan MBE, founder of Top 14 Allergen Free Brands, creative nature and allergy campaigner
Professor Gideon Lack, Professor of Paediatric Allergy, King’s College London