Immunology

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. 

For allergy and immunodeficiency appointments/queries:

Tel: 020 8296 4840

Email: immunology-sth@nhs.net

Key staff

• Dr Grant Hayman, Consultant Immunologist and Head of Department

• Dr Tasneem Rahman, Consultant Immunologist

• Dr James Laffan, Consultant Immunologist

• Dr John Guly, Consultant Immunologist

• Clarice Valera, Clinical Nurse Specialist

• Raquel Thapa, Clinical Nurse Specialist

• Mariel Alducente, Clinical Nurse Specialist

More information

Allergy UK

British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology

European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

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 and Head of Department

• Dr Tasneem Rahman, Consultant Immunologist

• Dr James Laffan, Consultant Immunologist

• Dr John Guly, Consultant Immunologist

• Clarice Valera, Clinical Nurse Specialist

• Raquel Thapa, Clinical Nurse Specialist

• Mariel Alducente, Clinical Nurse Specialist

Location and opening hours

We are based on the 2nd floor, D Block (outpatients department) at St Helier Hospital. 

For allergy and immunodeficiency appointments/queries:

Tel: 020 8296 4840

Email: immunology-sth@nhs.net

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)

HAE UK (Hereditary Angioedema) (opens in a new window)