Allergy UK (a registered charity) has worked with the NPA to
bring effective allergy and food intolerance testing and
management advice to the public.
Background
1 in 3 of the UK population is affected by allergy at some point in their life. The numbers are rising, yet few national resources are allocated to the diagnosis and treatment of this multi organ disease. The NHS provides only 1 specialist allergy centre per 10 million of the population. This is driving sufferers to alternative practioners and testing methodologies, some of whom may be less than helpful, and even dangerous.
The Department of Health proposed that allergies could be dealt with at a primary care level to help fill the gap. Community pharmacies are taking on a growing role in the delivery of public health.
The NPA/Allergy UK screening service has been available since 2008 in England, since February 2009 in Wales and April 2009 in Scotland.
What the screening service involves
The NPA/Allergy UK Screening service provides 'entry-level' allergy screening. A consultation with a trained pharmacist is followed by an on-the-spot basic allergy blood test if this is required (not all people need an allergy test; the decision is made after taking a medical and allergy history). Advice about symptom management is given. If a patient’s problem is more complex or severe, or is not related to allergy, they will be given advice about what action to take (referral to GP or specialist allergy clinic).
What training will you have?
The pharmacist receives thorough training (10 hours distance learning and a full day’s training) from Allergy UK and the Centre for Postgraduate Pharmacy Education to provide the Allergy Screening Service (For Wales – Welsh Centre for Pharmacy Professional Education).
High quality training for pharmacists enables detailed consultations to be carried out within the pharmacy, followed, if appropriate, with blood drop tests to identify the key allergens. Sufferers will also be signposted back to their GPs if their condition indicates a need for formal medical support. Sufferers will receive some guidance from the pharmacist, and will also be referred to Allergy UK, who will supply a tailored information pack and offer our range of ongoing membership support services: information updates, allergy alerts, peer support and expert patient training.
Northern Ireland pharmacists who are interested in providing the service should contact a.mcalister@npa.co.uk. Allergy UK will consider running a training day should there be sufficient demand in Northern Ireland. Further training days in the rest of the UK are due to be held and members interested should contact businessdevelopment@npa.co.uk.
