BEST PRACTICE IN
TREATMENT OF ALLERGY
PAUL HUGHES
Hughes Pharmacy, Enniskillen
Following many requests from patients about an allergy screening service, Paul Hughes decided to source some form of allergy testing that was suitable for both children and adults. He contacted Dr Acumed (real name Shan Wong), who was holding successful allergy clinics around Northern Ireland and
established the service in the pharmacy. The system she uses is the latest in modern advanced technology called the Mora Nova System and it can test for more than 1000 allergens. The method is non-invasive, painless and quick, and patients have found it life changing.
ADELE GRAHAM
O’Neills Pharmacy, Coalisland
The allergy testing service was set up years ago, when GPs stopped sending patients for patch testing. The service is now well-established and the pharmacy employs a nutritional therapist because of the amount of time the pharmacist spends doing vaccinations. Adele will recommend a patient for carrying out food intolerance testing and this will identify allergies to up to 48 food groups. The approach is a holistic one and the service is not a ‘one-off’ appointment. Many of the patients now attend through word of mouth, with some coming from as far as Antrim and Derry/Londonderry.
JOHN HAMILL
Lead GPP, Belfast
John has been focusing on improving knowledge around dealing with anaphylaxis and limiting exposure within a GP practice, as well as upskilling a team of 22 GPs around same. This process involved educating individual patients with life-threatening allergies factoring in weight, age and underlying medical conditions. John is fully aware that with a respiratory practitioner the maximal management of underlying respiratory disease including asthma would minimise and limit potential reaction if exposure was to happen. He also organises anaphylaxis/CPR training annually for his team.
