Wales School Allergy Law Urged

Allergy campaigners are calling on the Welsh government to enact legislation mandating allergy awareness training in all schools. This plea comes as the first phase of Benedict's Law took effect in England earlier this month, enforcing strengthened allergy guidelines and requiring schools to store adrenaline pens on-site. The law's absence in Wales has raised concerns among parents, who argue that children in Wales should not face increased risks compared to their counterparts in England.

The Welsh government has stated it is reviewing current statutory guidance for schools and will consider Benedict's Law for future policy development. Benedict's Law, named in memory of five-year-old Benedict Blythe who died from an allergic reaction in 2021, aims to better equip schools to handle severe allergies. Under the new English legislation, state-funded schools must maintain a whole-school allergy policy, provide staff training, and ensure individual healthcare plans are in place for allergic pupils.