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12th January 2005
ALLERGY SUFFERERS ARE FAILED AGAIN -
GOVERNMENT IGNORE PARLIAMENTARY HEALTH SELECT COMMITTEE
The Select Committee for Health in its enquiry into the provision of allergy services studied evidence from patients, patients organisations, the Royal College of Physicians and healthcare professionals working in the field of allergy and concluded :-
'The NHS is currently not a national service as far as allergy care is concerned.'
The Select Committee stated that :-
- There is a clear and growing gap between the need for allergy services and the appropriate care within the health service
- It is imperative that specialist clinics should be developed across the country
- It is crucial that the Department of Health recognise the problem and underwrite the creation of additional consultant allergist posts
- Whilst Primary Care would be the front line provider the skill base to be this is currently not there
- Allergy sufferers should have an equal opportunity for specialist treatment
The Government's response :-
"We want to study further data and carry out research into the epidemiology of allergic conditions and the demand for and provision of treatment".
The evidence is already there and they have seen it. The Select Committee for Health and the Royal College of Physicians have seen it and both stated very strongly that the present situation is unacceptable. The Government are trying to bury the allergy problem under a mountain of paper.
Endless suffering is caused by the lack of appropriate diagnosis and treatment for allergy yet the Government intends to continue to ignore the plight of allergy sufferers and waste more time and money in reviewing facts that have already been scrutinised.
Allergy UK finds the Government response disgraceful and totally unacceptable.For further information please contact:-
Muriel Simmons - 01322 619898