The standard we work to
Appointments that fit your life
We offer flexible scheduling to make booking easy. Your time matters, so we keep things efficient and focused.
Support before and after your visit
We're here to answer your questions from the first call to your follow-up. Our team provides guidance every step of the way.
Experienced practitioners you can trust
Our clinicians have decades of experience with allergy and environmental medicine. You'll be in knowledgeable, understanding hands from the start.
Making an appointment
-
Patients can be referred to us by their GP; however, it is not mandatory to have a doctor’s referral to visit our clinics – a GP’s referral is always helpful.
-
A GP referral does not mean that the consultation will be funded by the NHS; funding has to be approved by the local Clinical Commissioning Group. This can be available to patients who have previously been seen within the NHS without a satisfactory outcome (also see NHS Referrals).
-
Although a face-to-face consultation is preferable for both parties, for clients who live a long distance from the clinic or who are unable to attend due to ill health, (or International Clients) we can arrange a video consultation, following which laboratory tests can be arranged locally, keeping visits to the Clinic for tests or treatments which can only be carried out on our premises by our trained and skilled nurses.
-
When a booking for the initial consultation has been made, a medical questionnaire is sent by email or post for completion; please include any relevant test results. If the questionnaire is for some reason delayed and is not received one week before the appointment, the appointment will be cancelled.
-
The initial consultation is approximately one hour, but it may require a longer time, which is charged pro rata (see Fees).
-
If you are taking antihistamines, we do ask you, if possible, to stop taking them for 5-7 days prior to your appointment, as this can affect the results of any skin tests. If stopping them is likely to cause any serious symptoms, it is advisable to continue taking them and mention this to the specialist during your visit. Nasal sprays or steroid preparations do not need to be stopped.
-
We see and treat all age groups, including children.
-
Please note that in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), effective from 25 May 2018, we have modified our policies on Data Confidentiality and Data Protection. This is to ensure that any of your data are not passed on to a third party without your full authorisation; clients of The Burghwood Clinic or visitors to this website have access to their data and the right to request to have them erased; and any personal data are strictly used for the purpose they were intended for, i.e., to help improve their clients' health.
What the initial appointment involves
-
The first consultation involves a discussion between you and the Specialist concerning your medical history and current symptoms. This is a more in-depth discussion of the information that will have been given on your Medical Questionnaire.
-
A physical examination may be carried out, if appropriate, depending on the nature of your problem.
-
Skin prick tests may be carried out at the time of the consultation. These are mainly used to check for inhalant allergies, such as house dust mites, animal dander, pollens, trees and so on. (See Skin Prick Tests for further information).
-
The results of these skin prick tests will be given at the time of the consultation.
-
Intradermal tests may be carried out, if appropriate, if food intolerance is suspected and specific items need to be checked. (See the section under Intradermal Tests for further information).
-
Specific chemical tests can be carried out, i.e., if you suspect a latex allergy.
-
If blood tests are recommended, these can be carried out at the time of the consultation, and the samples will be sent to accredited private pathology laboratories we use.
-
Explanations as to what are the likely causes of your symptoms will be given and discussed.
-
At the end of the consultation, a plan of action will be suggested and discussed with you, based upon the findings of the consultation. Written information will be given to you summarising the requirements. This may be avoidance measures, such as a modified diet, environmental controls or desensitisation treatment.
-
A follow-up appointment will be arranged at the end of the consultation to discuss test results and progress with the recommendations made.
-
If you have given your permission, a summary of the consultation and treatment plan will be sent to your GP with a copy to you.