MPs to debate diabetes testing after Lyla's death

A petition calling for young children to be offered mandatory routine tests for type 1 diabetes following the death of a two-year-old girl is due to be debated in Parliament later.

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

Her family is campaigning for Lyla's Law, which would see routine paediatric testing for those showing symptoms, and they are due to meet Health Secretary Wes Streeting following the parliamentary debate.

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

More than 120,000 people have signed the petition, which was set up by Lyla's father John Story, triggering Monday's debate.

Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Story called for "education and accountability".

He stressed that doctors must be able to spot the symptoms of type 1 diabetes quickly.

"There are too many GPs out there that are just dismissing signs and symptoms," he said.

"We need to be testing when any symptoms appear to save lives, to help with the physical and emotional impact."

NHS England has been approached for a comment.

Story said support from the public, including those with children who have been diagnosed, had been "absolutely incredible".

"I have had many, many messages saying 'Thank you for saving my child's life'," he said. "It's not me doing that, it's Lyla."

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "Lyla's death was a tragedy and the secretary of state will be meeting her father John to discuss Lyla's Law this week."

They 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 specialist.

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

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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