Adult allergy services are provided by the University Hospitals of Leicester at both the Glenfield Hospital (GH) and the Leicester Royal Infirmary (LRI)
We provide a comprehensive service covering all allergic conditions. We are also able to advise on whether symptoms which are difficult to diagnose could be due to allergy. We provide immune system therapy (desensitisation), for people with venom allergy and severe hayfever (allergic rhinitis) as well as specialised antibody treatments for hives (chronic spontaneous urticaria). We provide specialised diagnostic services for drug allergy and food allergy and work closely with our respiratory and dermatology colleagues to determine whether allergy is playing a part in asthma and eczema.
We see approximately 1500 new patients a year and 95% of patients are seen within eighteen weeks of referral. Referral into the service is through your general practitioner. In most cases all aspects of the consultation can be dealt with in just one visit. There is a weekly team meeting at which complex cases are discussed and the appropriate way forward determined. All letters regarding consultations, results and communication to GPs are copied to our patients with a turnaround time of 1-2 weeks at the most. Before COVID-19 all patients were seen face to face but at the moment an assessment is made for each referral and many may be carried out by telephone or video. You will be informed before the appointment which form the consultation will take and you will be able to express a preference.
Referrals into the service are generally through GPs. Referrals are assessed by one of the consultant team and the GP advised if further information or action is required before an appointment is made. Some referrals occur as a result of visits to a hospital speciality or accident and emergency.
We have an active research programme into the causes and treatment of asthma and allergic disease and you may be invited to take part in this programme. Research is carried out under the auspices of the Leicester Institute for Lung Health and the Respiratory BRC
Adult allergy services are provided by a team of five consultants and an associate specialist. They are supported by a large team of specialist support professionals including asthma and allergy nurses at GH, allergy and clinical immunology nurses at the LRI, dieticians, a consultant pharmacist and secretarial support.
Allergy services are run from within the Respiratory, Renal and Cardiovascular (RRCV) Clinical Management Group. Any compliments or complaints about the service should be directed to the Patient Information and Liaison Service.
Links in this section:
Paediatric allergy services are provided at the Leicester Royal Infirmary
Allergy services we provide
Medical Staff providing the Adult Allergy Service
Specialist Support Professionals
Respiratory BRC
PILS (Patient Information Liaison Service)
