Mums of girls killed by their allergies campaign to end ‘Russian roulette’

Two mothers whose daughters died from severe allergic reactions have renewed calls for a national allergy tsar.

Natasha Ednan-Laperhouse, 15, died in July 2016 after eating a Pret a Manger baguette sandwich containing hidden sesame seeds.

Shante Turay-Thomas, 18, died after a severe allergic reaction caused by eating a hazelnut in September 2018.

Their mothers, Tanya Ednan-Laperhouse and Emma Turay, said their deaths were ‘entirely preventable’ in a letter to Health Secretary Steve Barclay – and called on the government to appoint a leader ‘to act as champion for people with allergies’.

They wrote to Mr Barclay after saying letters to his predecessors had not been responded to.  

This morning, both mothers appeared on Good Morning Britain, when presenter Susanna Reid liked having allergies to a ‘Russian Roulette’.

Susanna and co-host Ed Balls also called on England’s Chief Medical Officer, Sir Chris Whitty to meet with the bereaved mothers to discuss appointing a tsar.

Ms Ednan-Laperhouse, from Fulham in west London, went into anaphylactic shock onboard a British Airways flight.

Tanya Ednan-Laperouse (left) and Emma Turay holding up pics of their daughters, Natasha and Shante respectively (Picture: PA)

She suffered multiple cardiac arrests, despite two Epi-pens being administered, and later died in a French hospital.

In the wake of the tragedy, Natasha’s Law now requires all food businesses to include full ingredients labelling on pre-packaged food.  

Meanwhile Ms Turay-Thomas died in part because of human error, a coroner ruled in 2020.

An inquest heard an ambulance took more than 40 minutes to arrive at her home in Wood Green, north London.

She later died in hospital, with a post-mortem identifying anaphylaxis as the cause of death.

Her mother, Emma Turay, said after the inquest: ‘The coroner highlighted the fact that no one person in NHS England or the Department of Health is responsible for allergies, and it is quite clear we need an allergy tsar to co-ordinate and implement steps to prevent others from suffering avoidable deaths like Shante’s.’

Today’s letter to Mr Barclay from Ms Turay and Ms Ednan-Laperhouse’s mother, Tanya, says: ‘As mothers, we have come together for change so that our tragedies never happen again.

‘Over two years ago, we wrote to both your predecessors on the need for an allergy tsar.

Natasha Ednan-Laperouse (Picture: PA)

‘Unfortunately, I still haven’t heard anything from the Government on your position on a national lead for people living with allergies.

‘No single person has overall responsibility for the well-being of allergy sufferers in either Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England or anywhere else.

‘There are no clear lines of accountability in relation to overall NHS provision of allergy care, nor for the many other areas where policy change is required.

Shante Turay-Thomas (Picture: PA)

‘This lack of national leadership has been raised time and again by coroners at the inquests of those who died following severe allergic reactions.

‘It was raised at the inquest of my daughter, Shante. The coroner highlighted the fact that “there is no person with named accountability for allergy services and allergy provision at NHS England or the Department of Health as a whole”.

‘The coroner stated: “There is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken”.’

The tsar would act as an advocate to ‘better align primary care and hospital allergy services, so that patients have a coherent NHS care pathway, the letter said.

It added: ‘The tsar, as the national lead, will ensure people with allergies receive proper support and joined-up health care to prevent avoidable deaths and ill health.’  

The letter was sent as MPs are due to debate two allergy petitions – including one also calling for an allergy tsar – this afternoon in Westminster Hall.

Natasha Ednan-Laperhouse’s parents, Nadim and Tanya, have campaigned for change after their daughter’s tragic death (Picture: PA)

The call for a tsar is also backed by the National Allergy Strategy Group and the charities Allergy UK and Anaphylaxis UK.

A spokesperson said the government offered its ‘deepest sympathies’ to the families of Ms Ednan-Laperhouse and Ms Turay-Thomas.

‘We have taken action to address the challenges people with allergies face by introducing a new legal requirement for food retailers and operators to display full ingredient and allergen labelling information on every food item they sell pre-packed for direct sale.

‘Clinical advice and leadership on food allergies is provided by the clinical reference group for specialised allergy and immunology services, led by NHS England.’

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The bereaved mothers have said their daughters’ deaths were ‘entirely preventable’.