[Debbie]

My son has a severe peanut allergy and has to carry 2 epi-pens and piriton with him at all times.
Is there anyone in NZ with a child in a similar possition?

I would like info on how the primary schools in NZ deal with this type of thing, are they happy to look after / trained in giving him his emergency meds if he should need them? are they allergy awair when it comes to school meals? (or do all kids take packed lunch?).

What kind of allergy info is standard on food packaging in NZ? Do they just list the ingredience or do they have allergy info highlighted separatly?

Any info would be great.
Thanks Debbie

[Diny]

Debbie

My eldest also has a peanut allergy and has to carry epipens and piriton etc.

When he started school over here they were great. We went through his medication - they keep an epipen at school - and they let me know what the proceedures are.

They do have a trained first aider (not sure what the official title is over here). They informed me that if an incident should arise they will always try and contact me in the first instance. We live a few hundred yards from the school and if I'm home would be able to get there very quickly. However, you and I both know that with a peanut allergy time is not on our side. They will administer the epipen or any other medication as needed. We are happy and confident with their ability to do this.

There are no meals provided at my childrens school so they take a packed lunch which obviously I prepare. On the occasions when food is included I am always told in advance what will be served so that I can check it.

Also Fergie (10 years old) is very aware of what he can and can't eat. He will scan the label of anything he's given or will simply ask 'has this got nuts in it'. It's 2nd nature to him.

The treatment (for the want of a better word) of Fergie's nut allergy by his school is very good. I'm confident that he's looked after and would receive excellent attention should the need arise.

From what I can see, allergy awareness on food packaging here in NZ is very good. All ingredients are listed and almost everything states 'product manufactured in an environment which may have nut traces' (or whatever the actual wording is) ..... which isn't always a help - can make one abit paranoid at times. But hey, having seen your child minutes away from death because he's eaten a peanut, I don't think abit of paranoia is such a bad thing.

Diny

[Debbie]

Thanks so much for your reply Diny,
I was worried the schools would not want to hold the medication so Im glad to hear that you are happy with the schools responce.
My son is only 4 and is just starting to get to grips with always checking what he eats. All this allergy stuff is still quite new to us. Luckly we've never had a need to use an epipen, the thought of it.....but Im sure, heaven forbid the need should arise, anxiety over injecting my son will be replaced by the need to save his life.
Hope you dont mind, Ive PM'ed you.
Debbie