Diabetes debate 'first step in something massive'

The father of a two-year-old girl who died from undiagnosed type 1 diabetes says a petition calling for routine tests in young children being discussed in parliament earlier is the "first step in something massive".

Lyla Story, from Hull, died in May 2025 less than 24 hours after her mother took her to a doctor, who diagnosed acute tonsillitis. An inquest into her death in September heard she had undiagnosed type 1 diabetes.

A petition, backing her family's campaign for Lyla's Law, which would see routine paediatric testing for those showing symptoms, triggered Monday's debate among MPs.

Lyla's father, John Story, said: "Lyla's Law is getting closer to reality."

MP Irene Campbell told the meeting: "I would like to thank Mr John Story for his tireless campaigning on Lyla's Law.

"I hope, as he does, that no parent has to go through what he and his wife, Emma, has gone through again."

Speaking to Carla Green from BBC Radio Humberside outside parliament following the debate, Story said MPs were keen to improve education and accountability.

Story thanked everyone who attended the meeting and who took part in a peaceful demonstration as they handed in the petition, which attracted more than 120,000 signatures, to 10 Downing Street.

NHS England said: "We are carefully considering how staff could be better supported to ensure acute onset type 1 diabetes is recognised and acted upon urgently."

Story, and Lyla's mother, Emma, will now meet with Health Secretary Wes Streeting on Tuesday.

Mandy Hudson travelled from Essex with her 13-year-old daughter, who has type 1 diabetes, to support Lyla's family during the meeting.

Hudson said she had "similar circumstances, very different outcomes," adding: "My daughter survived."

Carrie Lum, who travelled from Wakefield and who also has a type 1 diabetic child, said: "We have to be here, we have to support him and we have to get some change."

The government previously said it had no plans to introduce routine testing "at the current time".

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said guidelines given to GPs by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) stated that if doctors suspected type 1 diabetes in children and young people, they should be referred immediately to a specialist.

"If a life-threatening complication is suspected, they should be transferred immediately to hospital," they added.

The four common symptoms of type 1 diabetes, known as the 4Ts, are:

• Toilet – urinating more frequently, especially at night
• Thirsty – being constantly thirsty and not being able to quench it
• Tired – being incredibly tired and having no energy
• Thinner – losing weight without trying to

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