Description

During the past 18 months there have been some important developments on the ‘political’ side of delivering services for Immunology and Allergy.

Basically, there seems to be general agreement that we need expert centres for Primary Immunodeficiency (PID) and specialised Allergy; a definition for the latter is still under discussion, but we now have a definition for Specialised Immunology which is included as an appendix in this Bulletin (Page 55). We are optimistic that the Department of Health will formally accept the definition before the end of February 2002. In London, Clinical Immunologists have agreed to the setting up of two co-ordinating centres for Specialised Immunology for adults at St Bartholomew’s Hospital and The Royal Free Hospital, these centres facilitating a clinical network of care for PID patients within London, and probably some adjoining regions (a likely total population of about 11 million). Great Ormond Street will co-ordinate the service for children.

The co-ordinating centre will maintain registries of patients for the clinics within their network, organise regular audit and encourage clinicians to work within a framework of clinical governance. Linked to this Clinical Network, there will be one London Pharmacy that will purchase the immunoglobulin required for the treatment of PID patients. This will secure supplies for this licensed use of Immunoglobulin, and probably be cheaper than the current ad-hoc purchasing arrangements. London Immunologists are currently trying to persuade those that represent the Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) on the new supra regional committees that this is a sensible way forward. Other regions in the UK are considering similar models.

Following our publisher’s concerns about the financial viability of the Bulletin, given the small number of subscribing Immunologists, your Editorial Board asked the Council of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI) for assistance. The Council were impressed by previous editions of the Bulletin, seeing this as a useful vehicle for promoting the sub-specialities of Allergy and Immunology. The BSACI will now sponsor the free circulation of three editions each year to all their medically qualified members.

Over the next year your Board will also be seeking ways of distributing the Bulletin to allergists and immunologists throughout Europe.