Authors: Ewan, Pamela W.; Durham, Stephen R.

Source: Clinical Medicine, Journal of the Royal College of Physicians, Volume 2, Number 2, 1 March 2002 , pp. 122-127(6)

Publisher: Royal College of Physicians

Abstract:

Allergy is common and its prevalence has increased substantially in the last 2-3 decades. There has been a particular increase in severe allergic disease, including anaphylaxis and food, drug and latex rubber allergy. Provision of allergy services in the NHS is poor and there is a huge unmet need. Allergy is a full specialty, but there are few consultants and few trainees: only six centres in the UK offer a full-time specialist service. Most allergy services are provided by doctors - general practitioners and consultants in other specialties - with little or no training in allergy. Whilst specialists in other areas of medicine have a role in the management of allergy, it is no longer adequate to devolve most allergy care to them. The lack of special care leads to morbidity, mortality and substantial cost to the NHS, much of it avoidable. To ensure that adequate standards of care are satisfactory, allergy care must be led by allergy specialists. More consultant posts and training posts in allergy are urgently needed; this requires recognition by trust managers, regional commissioners and the Department of Health. As a first step, we propose the setting up of appropriately staffed regional allergy centres. This could be achieved with a central directive and (relatively minor) pump-priming of funding.

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Keywords: ALLERGY; ALLERGY CLINICS; ALLERGY PRACTICE; CLINICAL PRACTICE; PREVALENCE; SERVICES

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 2002-03-01

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• Clinical Medicine is published six times a year and circulated to 20,000 Fellows and Members of the Royal College of Physicians. The journal is read by physicians both established and in training in hospitals across the world. It features a wide range of articles including original papers, professional issues, clinical guidance, medical humanities, ethics and clinical governance. The journal publishes the key features from the College lectures and conferences. Each issue has a CME section which reviews the latest advances in a chosen specialty.
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