Clinical Immunology and Allergy

The Peninsula Immunology and Allergy Service is a tertiary referral centre for adult immunodeficiency and allergy. It is based in the Eden Unit at Derriford Hospital and staffed by specially trained doctors and nurses. We run a number of different clinics within the Eden Unit and see patients from across the entire South West Peninsula. We liaise closely with other specialists in hospitals around the region and contribute to Joint Immunology/Respiratory clinics in Exeter, Torbay and Truro, and work with paediatricians to care for children with immunodeficiency.

Our lead consultant is Dr Claire Bethune (Consultant Clinical Immunologist). We have 3 other consultants, a specialist doctor, a GP specialty doctor in allergy, specialist registrars and Trust clinical fellows, and we are committed to training the next generation of doctors and nurses by having medical, nursing, and other allied health students in the department. There is a day-case area on the Eden Unit where patients undergo specialist treatment or investigations. The medical team also provides clinical advice to and on behalf of the immunology laboratories at Derriford Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

We hold accreditation by the Quality in Primary Immune Deficiency Scheme (QPIDS), the Improving Quality in Allergy Services (IQAS), and the laboratory is accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).  We are a Centre of Excellence in the European Competence Network on Mastocytosis. The department participates in a number of national and international clinical research trials for patients with immunodeficiency and allergy.

Below is a typical weekly timetable of our clinics. In addition to these we have several telephone clinics throughout the week. To get an appointment you will need to be referred by your GP through the standard NHS GP electronic referral system (eRS) or by another consultant. GPs can call to discuss cases or ask for advice during normal working hours (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday) on 01752 431675.

If you have any questions regarding an existing appointment or referral, please call Central Administration on 01752 431190.

The department is working towards the Trust’s target of 26 weeks for an initial outpatient appointment from receipt of referral. However in some circumstances the wait may be longer. The Trust also has a target of 65 weeks for treatment from the first outpatient appointment, depending on the priority of the case. If a patient is triaged for urgent review, a timeframe will be agreed that they need to be seen by, and an appointment will be booked within that timeframe.

We are committed to continually improving our service where we can; we conduct patient satisfaction questionnaires regularly and offer the Friends and Family questionnaire to all patients. We are always happy to receive constructive feedback.

Information on your rights and responsibilities can be found in the NHS Constitution.

Find out how to raise comments, suggestions and concerns on the Trust website.

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Example Eden unit Timetable

Day	Morning	Afternoon
Monday	Nurse-led infusions Immunodeficiency clinics Doctor-led allergy clinic	Nurse-led infusions
Tuesday	Desensitisation clinic Doctor-led allergy clinic Nurse-led allergy clinic Severe urticaria clinic	Desensitisation clinic Nurse-led allergy clinic
Wednesday	Nurse-led infusions Allergy dietician clinic Complex anaphylaxis clinic	Nurse-led infusions Allergy dietician clinic
Thursday	Doctor-led allergy clinics Allergen challenge testing Allergy dietician clinic	Anaesthetic allergy clinic
Friday	Doctor-led allergy clinic Nurse-led allergy clinic Desensitisation clinic	Nurse-led allergy clinic Severe urticaria injection clinic

 

There are additional specialist clinics for hereditary angioedema, mastocytosis, and immunodeficiency with significant respiratory disease held several times each year.

Please note we do not accept referrals for chronic fatigue syndrome/multiple chemical sensitivity/fibromyalgia, eczema, or food intolerance in the absence of allergic features.

If you are coming to a clinic appointment, please go to the specific clinic section (immunodeficiency, HAE or allergy) to learn more about what to expect on the day. Please read this information carefully as you may be required to bring certain things with you to your appointment or follow other instructions to ensure you get the most out of your clinic visit. We conduct many of our follow-up clinics by telephone to save our patients travelling long distances to see us. If this is appropriate for your case, it will be discussed at the end of your appointment.