Clinical immunology
Our Immunology department offers a diagnostic and management service for a range of conditions which affect the body’s immune system, including allergies and immunodeficiencies.
Allergy clinics
Our allergy clinics offer services for the diagnosis and management conditions such as:
- Anaphylaxis
- Angioedema and urticaria
- Drug allergy
- Food allergy (including nut allergy)
- Latex allergy
- Rhino-conjunctivitis (seasonal and perennial rhinitis)
- Insect venom allergy.
Following a clinical consultation, your consultant may arrange tests, including:
- Skin prick tests and intradermal tests
- Specific IgE measurement on a blood sample
- Supervised food or drug challenges.
Immunotherapy
We provide an immunotherapy (desensitisation) clinic and are able to undertake both subcutaneous and sublingual desensitisation therapy in selected patients.
Patient assessment and investigation
We aim to complete investigation and management plans for most new patients within a single appointment. Some patients may need to return for further clinical assessment or investigations. New patients are given a 30 minute appointment slot, during which time skin prick tests may be undertaken. In general, you should expect to be in the department for one hour at most.
A note on stopping anti-histamines
Skin prick test are the most commonly performed test in our clinic for the investigation of allergic disease/conditions. The test relies on the ability of the skin to react to an allergen pricked into the top layer of the skin. Anti-histamines (and drugs with anti-histaminic effects such as tricyclic anti-depressants and some older anti-psychotics) will suppress this skin reaction.
We generally request that anti-histamines are discontinued for five days before clinic attendance, where possible. Some people with very severe symptoms may find it difficult to stop the anti-histamines and in that situation blood tests may be performed. It is not necessary to stop other medication, eg asthma pumps or nasal sprays. Please do not stop anti-depressants or anti-psychotics without the advice of your doctor.
Information leaflets
- Anaphylaxis BSACI [pdf] 184KB
- Cow's Milk allergy BSACI [pdf] 240KB
- Dust Mite allergy BSACI [pdf] 250KB
- Egg allergy BSACI PIL [pdf] 167KB
- Injection immunotherapy BSACI [pdf] 226KB
- Oral Allergy Syndrome BSACI [pdf] 68KB
- Sesame allergy BSACI [pdf] 228KB
- Shellfish and Fish allergy BSACI [pdf] 241KB
- Urticaria and Angioedema British Assoiciation of Dermatologists [pdf] 282KB
- Peanuts and tree nuts [pdf] 268KB
Location and opening hours
We are based on the 2nd floor, D Block (outpatients department) at St Helier Hospital. Clinics for younger children (under 12 years) are held in Queen Mary’s Hospital for Children.
Clinics run on Monday and Friday afternoons, and Thursday mornings in D block.
Telephone: 020 8296 4840/2725/2805
Key staff
Dr Grant Hayman
Consultant Immunologist and lead clinican
Dr Grant Hayman
Consultant and Clinical lead
Dr Sai Murng
Consultant Immunologist
Dr Tasneem Rahman
Consultant Immunologist
Dr James Laffan
Locum Consultant Immunologist
Specialist Registrar in Immunology
12M rotation through HEE
Marcy Milarionmayieka
Lead clinical nurse specialist
More information
Immunodeficiency
South west London Immunodeficiency Centre
We provide a regional service for the investigation and management of primary and secondary immunodeficiency in adults. We offer both hospital-based and home treatment immunoglobulin replacement therapy, either via the intravenous or subcutaneous routes.
We do not provide a clinical service for patients with HIV/AIDS. If you have HIV/AIDS, you should be referred to our Genito-urinary medicine (sexual health) service.
Home therapy service
Some patients on long-term immunoglobulin replacement therapy are suitable for home therapy. This may be undertaken using intravenous or subcutaneous routes. If home therapy is appropriate for you, you will need to undergo a training programme, overseen by our clinical nurse specialist, who will also do annual home therapy assessments with you.
Conditions we investigate and manage:
- Individuals with severe, persistent, unusual or recurrent infections
- Antibody deficiency, particularly Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID) and X-Linked Agammaglobulinaemia (XLA)
- Hereditary and acquired angioedema (C1 Inhibitor Deficiency)
- T cell or combined immunodeficiency
- Neutrophil or phagocyte deficiencies/abnormalities
- Complement deficiencies
- Auto-inflammatory diseases
- Systemic inflammation of unknown cause.
Key staff
Dr Grant Hayman
Consultant Immunologist
Marcy Milarionmayieka
Lead clinical nurse specialist
Location and opening hours
Wednesday afternoon
Infusion of immunoglobulin takes place on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings in the immunology day unit.
Contact details
Telephone: 020 8296 4840/2725/2805
Immunology day unit on C5: 020 8296 2677
Clinical nurse specialist: 020 8296 3298
More information
Primary Immunodeficiency Network (opens in a new window)
European Society for Immunodeficiencies (opens in a new window)
PID UK (opens in a new window)
UK Primary Immunodeficiency Patient Support (opens in a new window)