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An allergy sufferer said she feared for her life after vital medication was taken from her during a night out.
Lauryn Forrester’s emergency EpiPen injector was confiscated twice at the Electrowerkz nightclub in Islington.
The device works quickly to counter life-threatening symptoms, including those caused by Lauryn’s allergy to certain types of nuts.
“It’s my lifeline,” Lauryn said.
Lauryn Forrester
“I didn’t want to hand it over. I was very anxious and very wary.
“I was scared because it wasn’t in my line of sight. They could put it down and forget where they had put it, and then if I needed it, it wouldn’t be there.
“There can’t be any delay. If I need it, I need it immediately.
“If I didn’t have it and I went into anaphylactic shock, it would be devastating.”
Lauryn Forrester’s EpiPens
EpiPens are at risk of being confiscated because they can be used to smuggle drugs into bars and clubs.
Lauryn added: “I understand the bouncer was just doing her job, but people without allergies are less likely to understand.
“If I was a bouncer at this club, I wouldn’t accept this policy. There’s no reason anyone should have their medication taken from them.”
Electrowerkz is a large nightclub spanning five levels and covering more than 30,000 square feet, meaning confiscated EpiPens could be stored a considerable distance from their owners.
The club said it had carried out a “full review of this policy” with “specialist legal advice”, adding: “Guest safety, particularly around medical needs, is something we take very seriously, and we’re sorry to hear that this guest felt anxious about access to her medication on the nights in question.
“Her experience matters to us, and it’s exactly the kind of feedback that has prompted us to look closely at this policy.
“Our revised policy now allows customers to choose whether their medication is stored securely with our medical team and made available whenever requested, or kept with them.
“If kept with them, a confidential and discreet log detailing the medication type, customer name and date is securely stored, with access limited to senior management only, and securely destroyed after a set retention period.
“We presented this revised policy to the authorities, who were satisfied for it to be implemented.
“The new policy is clearly set out on our website.”
The Security Industry Authority said effective search procedures included understanding people with “diverse needs such as medical requirements”.
Experts say every minute counts when treating anaphylaxis, which is approached by emergency services with the same urgency as a cardiac arrest.
Lauryn Forrester lives every day not knowing when her next reaction may happen. Even touching her face or mouth can trigger a reaction.
“The person serving my drink could have eaten nuts on their break and then handed me my drink,” she said.
“If that happens in a large venue with multiple floors, how am I supposed to get to the medical room in time?
“Especially if I’ve been drinking. If I’m suffering anaphylactic shock and I’m two floors away, it could be too late.”
A mother who understands the fatal dangers of allergic reactions is Tanya Ednan-Laperouse. Her teenage daughter, Natasha, died after eating a baguette containing unlabelled sesame seeds.
Girl who died after eating Pret baguette ‘would be proud of law change impact’
“Whenever someone has a reaction, they must tell someone else what’s happening, and the chances of them being able to find the right person to help in a really crowded venue are slim,” Tanya said.
“You can lose such precious moments.
“The most important thing is that they have their medication with them, so they, or somebody else, can administer an injection.
“This could help delay the onset of anaphylaxis.
World Allergy Week later this month aims to raise awareness of symptoms and treatments, and to remind people how unpredictable allergies can be.
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