Memorandum by Anaphylaxis Campaign and
Allergy UK (AL 54)
1. The Anaphylaxis Campaign and Allergy
UK are the leading patient charities supporting those living with
allergy in the UK.
2. The Anaphylaxis Campaign and Allergy
UK have monitored attempts being made by Members of Parliament
to establish the priority being attached by Primary Care Trusts
to commissioning allergy services. This follows individual patient
approaches to Members of Parliament to ask for their help.
3. We have recorded the replies below making
no attempts at this stage to validate the statements being made
about service coverage and adequacy, or to check the nature of
the evidence being used to underpin the replies given.
The following 13 MPs wrote to their local PCT
in February and March and obtained a reply:
— Sir Sidney Chapman—Barnet PCT.
Barnet PCT confirms severe allergy is dangerous but
says it is rare and that the Trust copes well with the local needs.
No shortfall in services.
— Mark Todd—Derbyshire Dales
and South Derbyshire PCT.
Derbyshire Dales and South Derbyshire PCT quotes
the Royal College of Physicians' report, "Allergy, the Unmet
Need", and says that the PCT acts the same as many other
centres in that it offers allergy services as part of its clinical
practice. These specialists cover dermatology, ENT and general
practice.
— John Taylor—Solihull PCT.
Solihull PCT says that it does not commission specialist
allergy services but that if and when the service is required
it would make a judgment on a case-by-case basis. The PCT says
it has asthma and dermatology covered.
— Dr Liam Fox—North Somerset
PCT.
North Somerset PCT says it has no specialist service
but the population are able to access through GPs and other local
contracts.
— Andrew Hunter—North Hampshire
PCT.
North Hampshire PCT commissions allergy services
for both adults and children. Service offered by a GP with special
interest along side consultant paediatricians. Waiting time routinely
11 weeks.
— John Cryer—Havering PCT.
Havering PCT outlined services available. Mr Cryer
has also contacted Harold Wood Hospital in Havering concerning
the availability of patch skin tests but has not yet had a response.
— David Amess—Southend-on-Sea
PCT.
Southend-on-Sea PCT admits it offers no specialist
allergy service but says that the local GPs are able to refer
in a number of ways, namely to Southend General Hospital. The
PCT also lists two specialists in the region, General Paediatrics
at Princess Alexandra and Respiratory Allergy at Broomfield Hospital.
— Jonathon Shaw—Medway Teaching
PCT.
Medway PCT says that it provides an outpatient service
for those living with allergy across Kent and Medway, using a
range of nurses and consultant led clinics. Desensitisation is
offered where appropriate. The PCT recognises that need is growing
and is looking at future development.
COMMENT
4. The responses gathered from the various
Primary Care Trusts give the impression that all is well with
allergy provision in England and Wales. However we are aware that
the reality is very different. Importantly, the PCT responses
reflect lack of understanding of what is needed to provide an
adequate allergy service. Patients struggle to get an adequate
referral and sufficient information to cope with their allergies.
5. Allergy clinics specialising in conditions
such as dermatology, ENT or asthma are not adequate for those
living with many allergies including anaphylaxis, food and drug
allergy.
6. Many PCTs claim they are within standard
government waiting times; these figures are only relevant if the
patients are being referred in the first place and to a doctor
with the appropriate expertise.
7. A final comment is that Barnet PCT says
that severe allergy, although dangerous, is rare. This is inaccurate
as current figures suggest that one million of the population
experience severe allergy. One in 70 children lives with a peanut
allergy, which is unpredictable and often severe.
8. The following 17 MPs contacted their
PCT but had not passed on a reply by 17 May. They were then contacted
by email but no reply has been received to date (27 May).
Sir George Young—confirmed he had not
received a reply from Mid Hampshire PCT
Michael Fallon, Sevenoaks PCT
Keith Hill, Lambeth PCT
John Whittingdale, Maldon and South Chelmsford PCT
John Redwood, Reading PCT
Tony Coleman, Wandsworth PCT
Geraint Davies, Croydon PCT
Mike Hall, Cheshire West PCT
Sir George Young, Mid Hampshire PCT
James Paice, East Cambridgeshire and Fenland PCT
Peter Pike, Burnley Pendle & Rossendale PCT
Cheryl Gillan, Chiltern & South Bucks PCT
Virginia Bottomley, South West Surrey (PCT not known)
Christine Russell, Central Cheshire West PCT
Gregory Barker, Bexhill & Rother PCT
Ann Widdecombe, Maidstone & Wield PCT
Harold Best, Leeds North West PCT
June 2004
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