Improve care for children with allergies in our community
The Issue
As parents of children with allergies, we face constant challenges and obstacles that make it difficult for our children to receive the care and social experiences they deserve. Our local health services and schools in Dudley have created a system where critical care plans for allergy management fall through the cracks, leaving families like mine feeling helpless and stressed.
When trying to enroll my child in nursery, we were informed by the school nurse that she could not provide a care plan since it is outside her responsibility for children under the age of five. Instead, she suggested contacting our GP who tried to help by completing an allergy form created by Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, which shows failure in our healthcare system. A health visitor also joined the circus by completed a standard form created wrongly by Worcestershire Borough for a child living in Dudley which adds another layer of complexity.
The lack of clear guidelines and responsibility has resulted in significant delays in receiving necessary medical attention. My son, who was referred to an immunologist in 2024, will not have an appointment until an unimaginable wait until 2026. Similarly, my daughter's hospital referral seems to have gone unacknowledged, leaving us uncertain and anxious about her care.
This situation is unacceptable. We should not have to wait years for critical medical appointments or navigate a poorly coordinated system. Our children deserve better – they deserve to be safe and supported in their healthcare, and they should not be excluded from social environments because of a lack of attention to their needs.
We urge our local health authorities and educational institutions to:
1. Implement a streamlined process for developing and executing allergy management plans in schools and nurseries, especially for children under five.
2. Ensure that school nurses are equipped and supported to manage these plans effectively.
3. Reduce appointment wait times for allergy specialists so that families are not left in uncertainty and risk.
4. Create a centralised system for referral tracking to prevent missed communications and ensure timely follow-ups.
By taking these steps, we can provide our children with the safe environments they need to thrive and promote inclusivity rather than exclusion.
I urge you to sign this petition to raise awareness and advocate for change. Our children's health and social lives depend on it.
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The Issue
As parents of children with allergies, we face constant challenges and obstacles that make it difficult for our children to receive the care and social experiences they deserve. Our local health services and schools in Dudley have created a system where critical care plans for allergy management fall through the cracks, leaving families like mine feeling helpless and stressed.
When trying to enroll my child in nursery, we were informed by the school nurse that she could not provide a care plan since it is outside her responsibility for children under the age of five. Instead, she suggested contacting our GP who tried to help by completing an allergy form created by Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, which shows failure in our healthcare system. A health visitor also joined the circus by completed a standard form created wrongly by Worcestershire Borough for a child living in Dudley which adds another layer of complexity.
The lack of clear guidelines and responsibility has resulted in significant delays in receiving necessary medical attention. My son, who was referred to an immunologist in 2024, will not have an appointment until an unimaginable wait until 2026. Similarly, my daughter's hospital referral seems to have gone unacknowledged, leaving us uncertain and anxious about her care.
This situation is unacceptable. We should not have to wait years for critical medical appointments or navigate a poorly coordinated system. Our children deserve better – they deserve to be safe and supported in their healthcare, and they should not be excluded from social environments because of a lack of attention to their needs.
We urge our local health authorities and educational institutions to:
1. Implement a streamlined process for developing and executing allergy management plans in schools and nurseries, especially for children under five.
2. Ensure that school nurses are equipped and supported to manage these plans effectively.
3. Reduce appointment wait times for allergy specialists so that families are not left in uncertainty and risk.
4. Create a centralised system for referral tracking to prevent missed communications and ensure timely follow-ups.
By taking these steps, we can provide our children with the safe environments they need to thrive and promote inclusivity rather than exclusion.
I urge you to sign this petition to raise awareness and advocate for change. Our children's health and social lives depend on it.
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on 21 September 2026