SHA to lead allergy services improvement

The Department of Health has announced the North West Strategic Health Authority (SHA) is to lead improvements in allergy services.

It has been appointed to head up a new drive to improve facilities for individuals affected by allergies.

The SHA will develop a pilot allergy centre which will then be used as a model for similar centres across the UK.

At the centre, the expertise of clinicians with an interest in allergies will be brought together to provide a coordinated and integrated service to patients across primary and secondary care.

Ann Keen, health minister, said: “Allergies affect the lives of millions of people in this country and we are ensuring this important issue gets the recognition it deserves.”

She said the decision to appoint a lead SHA in this area marks significant progress.

Allergy UK said it was sure many valuable lessons will be learnt from this pilot, which will result in the development of enhanced services for allergy sufferers across the country.

In June 2006, Allergy Therapeutics presented trial results suggesting a new vaccine could help reduce the symptoms of hayever.

The company argued that Pollinex Quattro, a vaccine injected four times, showed statistically significant benefits compare to placebo.