Bill for Universal Type 1 Diabetes Screening in Children to be Presented to Parliament

A new bill proposing routine type 1 diabetes testing for children exhibiting symptoms is scheduled to be presented to Parliament next month. Sarah Bool, the Member of Parliament (MP) for South Northamptonshire, will introduce the bill on April 14th, aiming to establish a national universal screening program for type 1 diabetes in children, utilizing the House of Commons’ 10-minute rule.

Lyla’s Law and the Push for Early Diagnosis

The bill’s introduction follows a parliamentary debate on March 9th centered around a petition known as “Lyla’s Law.” This campaign was initiated by John Story after his two-year-traditional daughter, Lyla, tragically died from diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) on May 3, 2025, just 16 hours after being diagnosed with tonsillitis. Despite the family reporting that Lyla displayed recognized warning signs – increased thirst, extreme tiredness, weight loss and more frequent wet nappies – her type 1 diabetes remained undiagnosed.

Lyla’s Law advocates for the principles outlined in NICE Guideline NG18 to be enshrined in law. This would mandate healthcare professionals to conduct diabetes testing via a finger-prick test whenever a child presents with any of the “four Ts”: toileting, thirst, tiredness, and thinning. The bill also seeks to introduce mandatory testing for type 1 diabetes during routine infant and toddler medical assessments and to incorporate information about type 1 diabetes and its warning signs into the Personal Child Health Record, commonly known as the “red book.”

Personal Connection and Parliamentary Support

Ms. Bool shared during the debate that her own life “entirely changed” following her type 1 diabetes diagnosis at the age of 33, admitting she was previously unaware of the warning signs. She emphasized that Lyla’s name will “go down in history” and commended her parents for their tireless advocacy in raising awareness.

“I have managed to secure today that I will introduce a 10-minute rule Bill on Tuesday 14 April to make provision for a universal national programme of screening for type 1 diabetes in children, building on all the work that John has been doing,” she stated. Ms. Bool also highlighted the require for further research to determine the optimal age range for repeat testing, emphasizing its importance in preventing diagnoses like Lyla’s.

Several MPs voiced their support for Ms. Bool’s initiative, including Peter Fortune, MP for Bromley and Biggin Hill, who stressed the need for increased support for individuals with type 1 diabetes, and Dr. Caroline Johnson, MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham, who expressed confidence that the bill would “provide leadership on remarkably important questions.”

Concerns and Next Steps

While the bill’s introduction was met with enthusiasm, concerns were raised regarding the feasibility of some aspects of Lyla’s Law, particularly the requirement for mandatory finger-prick tests, which the newly appointed parliamentary under-secretary of state in the Department for Health and Social Care, Sharon Hodgson, described as “difficult to enact.” Hodgson also noted that NICE guidelines are advisory rather than mandatory and that clinicians must retain responsibility for treatment decisions.

Ten-Minute Rule Bills are a mechanism for backbench MPs to introduce new legislation. The MP has up to 10 minutes to present their case, followed by an opportunity for opposing viewpoints before the House decides whether to proceed with the bill’s first reading.