Service spotlight
Allergy Update
Development and implementation of a pilot nurse led allergy clinic in Edinburgh I
Margaret Kelman Specialist Allergy Nurse
n a mixed methods feasibility pilot study, a Nurse-led allergy clinic ran for 3 years between 2017 and 2021, hosted by the University of Edinburgh and NHS Lothian and funded by Allergy UK. This novel clinic was initiated within the South East and South West area of Edinburgh, Scotland, to assess the feasibility of setting up an intermediary service in primary care, look at filling gaps in allergy service provision within Scotland and to measure the acceptability of the service to the patients, their families
and health care professionals who used it. We explored a variety of clinic models and chose the hub and spoke model as the best fit for delivery of the clinical service within primary care. In this model the Specialist Nurse is based within one primary care practice (hub) and all practices (spokes) within the cluster locality refer into the hub. The two specialist nurses, supported by local
14
hospital specialists, were required to diagnose, carrying out investigations where necessary, and manage allergic conditions, prescribe and provide follow-up for patients/parents. Referrals into the clinic were accepted, provided they fulfilled the inclusion criteria (see Box 1), by secure NHS email via an electronic proforma from all primary care practitioners within the cluster locality. The patient or parent was offered an initial consultation and
This novel nurse-led feasibility study has demonstrated that within the pilot area (NHS Lothian) the clinic was well received by the patients, families and health care professionals who engaged with the clinic. followed up with a review appointment 6–12 weeks later. Participants were asked to complete a consent form and quality of life questionnaire at each consultation and a satisfaction survey at the review, as well as being offered the opportunity
