Allergy UK calls for a national allergy register to consolidate patient data

As the UK welcomes a new government, Allergy UK is encouraged to to see an immediate focus on improving healthcare provision, a commitment outlined in the Labour Party manifesto. The government’s vision of reforming primary care presents opportunities for the allergic community to be better served.

Indeed, a reform of services delivered at primary care is the bedrock of the principal policy calls that have featured within our Election Manifesto. These are

• to introduce at least one specialist allergy nurse and dietitian within each UK ICS or equivalent.
• the establishment of a national allergy register, consolidating patient data that is relevant to allergies

Our call for a specialist allergy nurse and dietitian within each UK ICS or equivalent follows a research trial of this model to evidence if it would improve patient outcomes. The trial also served to evidence how the approach can free up much needed GP time and shorten secondary care waiting lists. Being able to access an allergy specialist within primary care services not only provided more timely care for the patient, but also helped address exacerbations of other health issues such as asthma and eczema that are triggered by allergies.

87% of GPs in the trial confirmed the service improved the treatment pathway for patients with food allergies. The same percentage supported integrating a paediatric specialist allergy dietitian into primary care settings, with 91% of the GPs involved believing there is a need for primary care dietitians. Furthermore, 87% agreed it improved timelines for patients and83% were very satisfied with the accuracy of treatment provided in the clinic.

Our second call is to establish a national allergy register to consolidate patient data nationwide. The inception of an allergy database would create a unified understanding of allergy prevalence and therefore indicate the level of healthcare service provision required to address the needs identified by the insights gleaned from the data held in the register.  Specifically, it could also aid in designing the level of patient services that could indeed be delivered at primary care level and inform the primary care reformation that is underway with this new government.

As we move forward, Allergy UK remains committed to working closely with the new government to ensure the allergy voice is heard and considered within the primary care service reforms. We believe that integrating our proposed measures into the broader healthcare agenda, can significantly improve the quality of life for millions of people living with allergies.

If you would like to add your voice and patient management experience to reinforce our case for improved allergy service provision within primary care, please do get in touch clinical@allergyuk.org.uk.