Nick Makwana

21/04/2026

Yesterday at the Houses of Parliament for the launch of the National Allergy Strategy 🇬🇧

A real privilege to be part of such an important moment for allergy care, standing alongside fellow allergists and colleagues committed to improving awareness, access, and outcomes for patients.

Allergy services remain stretched, and too many patients still face delays in diagnosis and care. This strategy is an important step, but real change will depend on sustained commitment, investment, and system-wide action.

If you’re involved in healthcare, commissioning, education, or policy, this is the moment to engage and help drive meaningful progress.

Read more about the strategy here: https://www.bsaci.org/professional-resources/national-allergy-strategy/

Exciting times ahead—but there’s work to do 🙌

08/03/2026

Happy International Women’s Day to all the incredible women around the world.

Today we celebrate strength, kindness, courage, wisdom, and the quiet power that women carry every day.

To every woman who keeps going through challenges, who supports others, who loves deeply, who works hard, who dreams, who heals, who inspires — today is for you.

With love, appreciation, and gratitude to all women everywhere.

Happy 8th of March!

❤️

05/03/2026

Today’s announcement on stronger protections for children with allergies in schools is a very welcome step forward.

New guidance means schools in England will be expected to stock spare adrenaline auto-injectors, train staff in allergy awareness, and have clear allergy policies and individual healthcare plans for pupils. 

For families living with food allergy, the school day can be a source of constant anxiety. Allergic reactions can occur unexpectedly — and around 30% of severe reactions in schools happen in children with no previous allergy diagnosis. 

Ensuring staff are confident in recognising anaphylaxis and responding quickly can literally save lives.

This progress has come after years of advocacy from families and charities particularly following the tragic death of five-year-old Benedict Blythe. Their determination to improve allergy safety in schools is already creating a powerful legacy. 

As clinicians, we know that rapid recognition and timely adrenaline are critical in anaphylaxis. Stronger school policies, training, and access to emergency medication are essential to keeping children safe and enabling them to learn and participate fully in school life.

A big step forward — but continued collaboration between schools, healthcare professionals, families and policymakers will be key to making these protections work in practice.

24/10/2025

Really enjoyed joining Raaj FM today to speak about another of my passions - leading a healthy and happier life incorporating the 6 pillars of lifestyle medicine: healthy diet, sleep, exercise, avoiding toxic substances, stress management and connection with others. Glad the listeners enjoyed the show ❤️

18/10/2025

New role, new energy ⚡️

Wow — what a month! 🤩

I’ve stepped into my new role as Deputy Chief Medical Officer, and it’s been one of the most exciting, inspiring (and slightly surreal!) starts I could imagine.

My new portfolio includes medical education, digital, clinical leadership & development, and medical workforce wellbeing — areas I’m hugely passionate about and that feel so central to shaping how we care for both our patients and our people.

But it’s not all meetings and strategy…
🎧 I DJed at our work party with 50 brilliant colleagues — such a great night celebrating our amazing team.
🪩 At the BSACI Conference, I took on a bonkers bingo + DJ set for 250 people (yes they paid to come!) — chaotic, hilarious, and unforgettable!
🌅 We kicked off thursday morning with the Sunrise Shake — a dance before data moment to get everyone smiling before the science began.
🌳 To celebrate our shared commitment to research at SWBH, we planted a tree in our community garden with one of our youngest participants — a reminder that growth, curiosity, and connection all start from strong roots.
🏆 And one of my proudest moments — nominating our amazing Play Team for the Starlight National Play Team of the Year Award… and they won! Their creativity and kindness make such a difference for children and families every day.

It’s been full-on, joyful, and a perfect reminder that leadership doesn’t have to mean leaving behind creativity, fun, or heart — it’s about bringing your whole self (and sometimes your DJ decks!) to the job.

Feeling grateful, a bit tired, and totally energised for what’s ahead 🙌

13/10/2025

https://bslm.org.uk/bslm25-highlights-for-children-and-young-people-cyp/

As the dust settles from another fantastic BSLM conference, I wanted to reflect on the most pertinent CYP highlights (25% of our population but 100% of our future!).

03/10/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CJcjHfw38/?mibextid=wwXIfr

20/09/2025

BSLM 2025 in . What a great few days of learning 📖.

Discussed so many aspects of how to help people thrive and that’s why we were there presenting our data of positive outcomes from looking after staff and making them feel valued.

Also had some rest and recuperation on the way. A wonderful sunny day in Brighton, managed to get some runs in, ate some fantastic sushi and a great party on the pier.

So many Highlights - but if I had to choose:
- Session on toxic masculinity and how we need to start education in schools to tackle this. Also offering alternative spaces for men to meet rather than the traditional activities.
- Prof Steve Turner reminding us that investing in children’s health means we will have a healthier future adult generation - children are 25% of our population and 100% of our future
- the importance of recognising and valuing nursing (acute, school, health visiting) as a key driver of improving health - recruitment and retention.
- dancing with the Outta Puff Daddys of course!!

Actions
- continue to highlight the importance of wellbeing and reminding colleagues self-care is not selfish
- Being the voice of women, children and those that have unequal access to care in my new role as Deputy Chief Medical Officer 🏥
- Make happen 🕺🏻

18/09/2025

For those of you who know me, you know as well as an allergist, I am a huge advocate of wellbeing at work and at home.

Have delivered my second thriving together course in the Forest of Dean for senior medics this week to help them thrive at work, become happier and ultimately deliver better patient care.

Highlights:
- No phones
- Recognising burnout
- Setting boundaries
- Prioritising diet, exercise and sleep
- Learning to Dance
- How to deal with energy vampires
- Remembering the importance of nature and connection to our wellbeing.

Feedback was amazing and everyone went back with learning to help them thrive and they all loved the dancing ❤️.

Can’t wait to hear how they have implemented and sustained their changes.

Thanks to Mike Blaber and Chetana Kallappa my co-faculty for the support, camaraderie and making this happen with me 😍

04/07/2025

Anaphylaxis in Children – Know What to Do
Anaphylaxis can come on quickly and unexpectedly. Symptoms might include:
• Swelling of tongue or face
• Breathing difficulties or wheeze
• Sudden tiredness, floppiness, or collapse
• Persistent vomiting

If in doubt – use the auto-injector and call 999
You will never be wrong for giving adrenaline. What you don’t want is to wait too long.

Adrenaline is safe. Giving it early saves lives.
Teach children, carers, schools, and friends what to look for – and what to do.

#999

02/07/2025

Important information from allergyuk

02/07/2025

🌍 World Allergy Week – Investing in the Future 🌱
Today I had the privilege of welcoming our new final-year medical students and sharing one of my passions: why allergy matters.

From food to environment, asthma to anaphylaxis – allergy touches every specialty and every stage of life. It’s a field full of science, challenge, empathy, and impact.

Training tomorrow’s doctors to recognise, manage, and even specialise in allergy is how we build a safer, healthier future for all.
Let’s raise awareness. Let’s inspire the next generation.