Allergy admissions rise at Warrington and Halton Hospitals

NHS Digital data shows there were around 135 admission episodes with a primary diagnosis of allergies for Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in 2019-20 – the latest full years’ worth of figures.

That was up from around 40 in 2015-16, which is the earliest year for which data was available, and around 75 in 2018-19.

The exact numbers are not known because the totals for certain patient groups were suppressed to maintain confidentiality.

Nationally, around 30,400 admission episodes were recorded, demonstrating a big increase from 20,700 in 2015-16.

Figures also show there were at least 21 admission episodes with a primary diagnosis of anaphylactic shock at Warrington and Halton hospitals in 2019-20 – broadly in line with 2015-16.

Anaphylactic shock happens when someone has a severe and potentially life-threatening immune reaction to a trigger, which is often an allergy.

There were around 5,500 admission episodes linked to anaphylactic shock across England in 2019-20, which was slightly down from the previous year but up from 4,500 in 2015-16.

Halton Hospital

Amena Warner, head of clinical services for Allergy UK, said the rising number of hospital admissions for allergies and anaphylactic shock was a ‘huge concern’.

She said: “If this is not brought under control, we are going to have a huge problem, because in some cases allergic reactions can be fatal.”

Charity Allergy UK also says increasing hospital visits linked to allergies are worrying, and it wants to see more education about the risks of severe allergic reactions.

New regulations due to come into force in October will require businesses preparing pre-packed food for direct sale on their premises to include a full ingredients list on an item’s label.

Named ‘Natasha’s Law’, this follows the case of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, who died in 2016 after suffering an allergic reaction to a Pret a Manger baguette.

A spokesperson for the Food Standards Agency added: “As lockdown restrictions ease, if you or your friends or family have a food allergy, it is important to never be complacent.

“Remember to be allergy aware and speak to restaurants about food allergies every time you order, because ingredients, recipes and staff can change.”