About us
The Peanut Allergy Clinic is a specialist private allergy service at Southampton Children’s Hospital.
Who Are We & What We Do?
Hello and welcome to the Peanut Allergy Clinic!
If you are looking for a way to help your child live a safer life with peanut allergies, then you are in the right place. When peanut immunotherapy first became a licenced treatment in the UK at the end of 2021, we knew as a specialist allergy service, that this was a treatment we had to make available for our families. As a research centre, Southampton Children’s Hospital were involved in the research trials for peanut immunotherapy and many of the team had already seen first-hand a what a life changing medication this is. Peanut immunotherapy allows children with peanut allergies (and their families) to no longer live in constant fear that one bite of a food contaminated with peanuts, may trigger a catastrophic reaction. Imagine what this would mean for your family.
Our service is based at Southampton Children’s Hospital and appointments are carried out in the Children’s Outpatient Department. The atmosphere created by the team is calm, professional, and friendly. Any fears you may have about the treatment will quickly disappear when you are in the safe hands of our team. Many families remark on what a positive experience each appointment is.
Peanut immunotherapy is currently licenced for children aged 4 to 17yrs. Any families who are interested in this treatment for their child, will need to book an initial assessment with Dr Mich Lajeunesse, or Dr Helen Evans-Howells. These assessments can be carried out in a private clinic in Bournemouth, Dorchester, or Southampton. At an initial appointment, our doctors will find out more about the allergy and confirm that a peanut allergy exists (with an allergy skin prick test or blood test). The treatment will be fully discussed with you and if everyone agrees that this is the right treatment option for your child, you will be given a date for immunotherapy to start.
Treatment is carried out every other Saturday morning at Southampton Children’s Hospital. Families travel from all over the South of the country to have treatment in our department. There are good rail, road, and boat options go get to us! Parking is never an issue at the hospital on a Saturday, and your parking will be refunded each time you visit. As well as this, you’ll get free Costa coffee vouchers each appointment to keep you fuelled for your morning.
My name is Dr Mich and I am one of the children’s allergy consultants
I have always been interested in the immune system, so when two of my own children developed food allergies as babies, it seemed like an obvious field to work in. So I took the opportunity to do some research into infants with allergies in Southampton as a postgraduate trainee doctor and then went on to specialise in the field. I know first-hand little advise and guidance there is out there for children with food allergies.
I am specialist in paediatric Allergy & Immunology. I have been a consultant since 2006 and took over as lead for the allergy clinic here in 2008. Over the last six years I have been the local research lead for clinical trials on the use of Palforzia. I also established the national registry for adult and children receiving allergen immunotherapy in the UK (called BRIT) and we have recently added Palforzia to the registry so we can monitor its uptake in the UK.
Palforzia is the first licensed disease modifying treatment for peanut allergy. It’s been a privilege to see how children’s lives have been transformed by peanut immunotherapy.
Hi I’m Mark and am one of the allergy consultants in the Peanut allergy clinic.
I have, for a long time been interested in allergic disease and took the opportunity to develop this interest through my postgraduate training in paediatrics.
Since completing training and starting as a paediatric consultant at Southampton Children’s Hospital in 2014 I have worked as part of the allergy team providing specialist clinics. There is an importance to improve understanding of allergic disease and I teach on part of the Allergy MSc in Southampton University.
Palforzia is the first licensed therapy that is disease modifying for peanut allergy and it has been amazing to see the benefits that it has brought to young people’s lives.
My name is Kate Baker, I’m a Paediatric nurse on a busy medical and surgical day ward. Part of my role is to carry out food challenges for children with suspected food allergies. I have also worked within the Children’s outpatient department performing skin prick testing. It was during this time I learnt about the Palforzia clinic, it fascinated me that this treatment was available and I was keen to join the clinic.
I can see the difference its making to the families I meet. It’s a pleasure to be part of this new service!
My name is Lindsay Brown. I am a paediatric allergy nurse specialist and I’ve worked with the allergy team at Southampton for 15 years.
Over the years I’ve seen many changes in how we manage allergies in children. Palforzia is an exciting change and I feel privileged to be part of the team supporting children and families through this process
Hi, I am Yin, one of the paediatric pharmacists at Southampton Children’s Hospital. My role in the peanut allergy clinic is to ensure the safe use of Palforzia in every child and young person.
Before joining the clinical team, I have been actively involved in drug discovery and development research for five years. Palfozia is the first licensed preventive treatment option for peanut allergy. It is fascinating and rewarding to witness the science behind peanut immunotherapy transforming the lives of many children and families.’
Hello, my name is Carole. I am an experienced paediatric nurse.
For the past 10 years I have been working in Children’s Outpatients in Southampton. Over this time, I have worked very closely with the Children’s Allergy team, providing care for children in allergy clinics, including skin prick testing, adrenaline autoinjector training and blood tests.
During my time spent working with children and families affected by allergy, I have developed a keen interest in this speciality. I’m excited to be part of this team and privileged to see the difference it can make.
Where To Find Us
- Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton. SO16 6YD
- Opening Times Mon – Fri 8am – 6pm
- info@allergyhealthcare.co.uk
- 023 8001 3151
Contact Us
If you would have any questions or would like more information, please complete our short form and we will be in touch as soon as possible.
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