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Allergy

The paediatric allergy service is currently based at Solihull, Heartlands and Good Hope Hospitals. Our service provides outpatient clinics and day-case treatment for those with suspected and confirmed allergies, up to the age of 16 years.

What is an allergy?

An allergy is when the body’s immune system reacts to something harmless — like pollen, dust mites, certain foods, or animals, as it thinks it is a problem. We call these allergens.

The immune system is overprotective and causes symptoms such as sneezing, itching, rashes, or swelling whenever it meets an allergen.  

Conditions we see

  • Food allergy and Anaphylaxis
  • Pollen Food Syndrome 
  • Aeroallergen sensitivity
  • Chronic urticaria and angioedema
  • Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis

Services we provide

  • Comprehensive management plans
  • Diagnostic allergy testing - Skin prick testing / blood test
  • Allergy food challenges
  • Adrenaline auto-injector training
  • Liaison and education with schools and community services
  • Immunotherapy - sublingual desensitisation programme to grass/pollen/ house dust mites
  • Omalizumab for Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU)

Transition

We work closely with the adult immunology service and can transition our paediatric immunology patients to the service, smoothly and gradually. This process usually begins in teenage years.

Meet the team

  • Dr Scott Hackett, Consultant Paediatric Immunologist and Allergist
  • Dr Sanjay Gupta, Consultant Paediatrician with an interest in allergy
  • Dr Mujahid Khan, Consultant Paediatrician with an interest in allergy
  • Helen Creed, Allergy Nurse Specialist
  • Elisa Iles, Allergy Nurse Specialist
  • Clare Webb, Allergy Nurse Specialist

Contact us

Allergy Nurse Specialist

Available Monday to Friday, 08:30 - 16:30.

Last reviewed: 06 March 2026