North West to pilot first regional allergy centre

pharmafile | September 1, 2008 | News story | |  NHS, hc 

The first of a new kind of NHS allergy centre will be developed by North West SHA as part of its new role as the national lead for allergy services.

The centre will bring together clinicians with an interest in allergy from across primary and secondary care to provide a coordinated integrated service for patients.

It will provide a model for similar services to be rolled out across England, and the Department of Health is set to give North West SHA £60,000 to support the pilot in its first year.

Health Minister Ann Keen said the pilot centre would bring together a diverse range of healthcare expertise to provide a world-class service.

She added: "Allergies affect the lives of millions of people in this country, and we are ensuring this important issue gets the recognition it deserves. The appointment of a lead Strategic Health Authority to drive improvements to allergy services is a significant step forward."

Patient group Allergy UK welcomed the move, in particular because it would highlight the role of primary care in the provision of allergy services.

"We are sure that many valuable lessons will be learnt which eventually will lead to much improved services for allergy sufferers nationally," a spokesperson added.

North West SHA's new role will see it lead and champion improvements in allergy services. It is part of a wider Department of Health programme to improve in the area, which includes the development of National Occupational Standards for allergy.

A specific care pathway will also be commissioned for children with allergic symptoms, to give clinicians a new tool when managing children with possible and actual allergic reactions.