Statement regarding the inquest of Nicholas John Kelly

Senior coroner Julie Goulding has ended the inquest into the death of 16-year-old Nicholas John Kelly who tragically died on 11 March 2020 at Whiston Hospital Merseyside. Nicholas was known to have a nut allergy and had been prescribed an adrenaline auto-injector (AAI).

On the evening of 7 March 2020 Nicholas visited a takeaway establishment that was aware of his nut allergy and had served him on many occasions before without incident. Afterwards Nicholas walked home but arrived in distress and his family members searched for his AAI. Nicholas collapsed and was taken straight to hospital but sadly did not survive.

It was heard at the inquest at Bootle Town Hall, Liverpool, on 2 March 2022, that results of blood testing after Nicholas’s death were consistent with an anaphylactic reaction. In the inquest it was determined that “On the evidence available it was not possible to identify the likely source of the anaphylaxis, it would be speculation to identify any particular product.”

The Anaphylaxis Campaign would like to extend our deepest condolences to Nicholas’s family during this incredibly difficult time.

The Anaphylaxis Campaign would like to re-enforce the following advice: –

Adrenaline Auto-Injectors

• Always carry two adrenaline auto-injectors with you at all times.
• Ensure you have registered the expiry date of your devices on the relevant manufacturers websites to give you ample warning when a new prescription is required.
• Ensure you gain a replacement device prior to disposing of any out-of-date devices

What to do if you suspect anaphylaxis

• use your adrenaline pen immediately or ask someone else to do this if you prefer (any person is legally allowed to administer adrenaline to another person to save a life);
• call an ambulance (999) immediately after giving the injection or ask someone to do this. Say this is an emergency case of anaphylaxis (pronounced “anna-fill-axis”).
• use your second adrenaline pen 5 minutes after the first pen if you are not improving or if you start to deteriorate after an initial improvement.

If you are concerned about allergies and would like more information and support, please call our national helpline on 01252 542029 or contact info@anaphylaxis.org.uk.