§ Keith VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Health which NHS hospitals have special allergy units to deal with more severe cases of allergy. [156247]
§ Dr. LadymanThe British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI) and the British Allergy Foundation (BAF) compiled a list of National Health718W Service allergy clinics in 2000 which are NHS consultant-led and based at NHS hospitals throughout the United Kingdom. The subsequent BSACI handbook, "National Health Service Allergy Clinics",published in 2001, lists 86 such clinics. There were an additional 15 clinics run by NHS consultants, who were non BSACI members, identified by the BAF.
Six of these 101 clinics offer services led by a whole-time specialist allergist. These are based in London (Guy's hospital, Royal Brompton hospital and St. Mary's hospital), Cambridge, Southampton and Leicester. These centres have expertise in all types of allergic disease, including the complex problems, and provide a comprehensive high-quality allergy service with a multidisciplinary approach.