Allergy UK nurse-led allergy clinic
A new study to evaluate the efficacy of having a nurse-led allergy clinic in primary care.
Summary
The nurse led allergy clinic is a research project supported by the University of Edinburgh and NHS Lothian, with funding from Allergy UK, to evaluate the efficacy of having a nurse led allergy clinic in primary care, with the project overseen by Professors Aziz Sheikh and Jürgen Schwarze.
Pilot clinics
The pilot clinics are based within the South East and South West locality of Edinburgh and have been set up to try to alleviate the burden on secondary care services, with a view to requesting funding from the Scottish Government to allow a national roll out of the clinic model if the project can demonstrate success.
Who can attend?
Led by specialist allergy and dermatology nurses, Margaret Kelman, the clinic accepts referrals for both children and adults based on the referral criteria below.
Due to the current COVID-19 situation, all consultations with the nurse-led allergy clinic will be held remotely, with appointments offered either via online video consultation or via the phone.
What will happen?
The clinic will provide support and advice for patients with a range of allergic conditions and atopic eczema.
The clinic has been set up as a research project and consent will be requested prior to the initial remote consultation.
When and where are the clinics held?
Clinics will be held remotely either via online video consultation or the phone.
How to refer into the nurse-led allergy clinic
We are happy to take referrals from GPs, nurses and health visitors within the South East and South West locality who manage patients with allergies or suspected allergies for both children and adults.
Please email all referrals using the clinic referral form below to lothian.allergyclinic@nhs.net
Referrals into the clinic will be accepted on the clinic proforma for the following categories:
- infants under two with a suspected food allergy including cow's milk allergy
- infants under two with moderate to severe eczema not responding to treatment
- children 16 years and under, with allergic rhinitis not responding to standard treatment or having a notable impact on their daily life
- young people and adults over 16 with anaphylaxis or suspected anaphylaxis including previously diagnosed anaphylaxis and severe allergies who require advice and support
When completing the referral form it would be helpful if you could capture a contact phone number or email address to assist with ease of contacting the patient to help with organising a suitable time to attend the clinic.
Download a PDF to print and complete by hand:
Download a MS Word document to complete electronically:
Key people
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Professor Aziz Sheikh | Chief Investigator |
| Professor Jürgen Schwarze | Lead clinician |
| Margaret Kelman |
Allergy UK Research & Development Nurse, Winner of the British Society for Allergy & Clinical Immunology (BSACI) Barry Kay Award 2020 |
| Susie Harley | Allergy UK Research & Development Nurse |
Contact
Laura Gonzalez Rienda
Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research Administrator/ Allergy UK
Usher Institute
The University of Edinburgh
Room 216B, Doorway 3
Old Medical School
Teviot Place
Edinburgh EH8 9AG
Email: l.gonzalez@ed.ac.uk
Phone: 0131 6502682
Partners and Funders
NHS Lothian
Allergy UK
Timeline
June 2017 - Jan 2020