The Anaphylaxis Campaign are delighted to announce that the www.sparepensinschools.uk website is now live.
This website, a collaboration between ourselves, BSACI, RCPCH and Allergy UK, has been set-up to support schools, parents, students and healthcare professionals in implementing the new guidance from the UK Departments of Health to support children with food allergies in schools, and where appropriate, the use of emergency ‘spare’ adrenaline auto-injectors now permitted under UK legislation.
We hope the website will be used as a valuable resource by all those affected by allergies in children. If you still have questions about allergies in schools, please contact our national helpline for advice and support via info@anaphylaxis.org.uk or call 01252 542 029.
About the Spare Pens in Schools Campaign
For two years the Anaphylaxis Campaign – together with Allergy UK, the British Society for Allergy & Clinical Immunology (BSACI), the British Paediatric Allergy Immunity and Infection Group (BPAIIG), and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) – campaigned for a change in the law to allow schools to hold generic adrenaline auto-injectors, and ensure they have sufficient trained staff to operate the device in case of an emergency.
From 1st October 2017, the Human Medicines (Amendment) Regulations 2017 has allowed schools in the UK to buy adrenaline auto-injector devices (also known as AAIs or ‘pens’) without a prescription to use in an emergency on children who are at risk of a severe allergic reaction (known as anaphylaxis) but whose own device is not available or not working. This could be because their AAI(s) are broken, or out-of-date, for example.
Our support for schools
The Anaphylaxis Campaign helps raise awareness of severe allergies and anaphylaxis within schools and provide support to parents and carers of school aged children. You can access our links to information and advice for schools at www.anaphylaxis.org.uk/schools.
Our FREE online e-learning course AllergyWise for Schools is designed to help improve the knowledge of school staff about allergies, how to provide treatment in an emergency, and how to safeguard children with allergies from key Stages 1 to 5. Register online at www.allergwise.org.uk today.
We also have an accredited online e-learning course AllergyWise for Healthcare Professionals. This comprehensive ‘train the trainer’ course is designed for school nurses with a responsibility for training others in first aid and allergy awareness. Accredited by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and endorsed by the Pre-school Learning Alliance (PLA) and British Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI), discounts are available for Healthcare Professional Members of the Anaphylaxis Campaign. Register online at www.allergwise.org.uk today.
Finally, school fundraising initiatives are a great way to support our work and educate school aged children about the risks associated with severe allergies and the importance of respecting and accepting classmates who may be allergic. On Friday 18th May 2018 your school can help by getting involved with #OrangeWigDay. Find out more here.