Two posters have been developed by the NI Medicines Governance Team in conjunction with the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.
One promotes awareness among health and social care staff, the other is aimed at patients and will be made available to all primary care practices and outpatient clinics.
The Minister said: “It is important that people become more aware of this silent condition. The number of children and young people with severe allergies is increasing and everyone – healthcare professionals, families, friends and schools – needs to be knowledgeable about taking preventative action and to be able to provide help should a severe reaction occur.
“This is a shared responsibility. Staff should be mindful about asking patients about known allergies and recording their response. But there is also an onus on patients to provide all relevant information about their condition to healthcare staff, and indeed to others, such as their school principal, friends and work colleagues.”
New best practice guidance and training modules for health care professionals are also part of the awareness campaign, and the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Michael McBride added: “Recognising the symptoms and signs, and having the knowledge and skill to effectively manage anaphylaxis is a vital part of emergency care.
“This guidance and training opportunity will strengthen the existing skills and experience of healthcare professionals. It will raise awareness of the many factors in treating this condition and the various support networks and information which is available to patients.”
Dr David Edgar, an allergy specialist who was involved in the development of the guidance, commented: “This awareness campaign is also about creating a sense that patients are not alone, that there is a support network available.
“It is also to emphasise that there are lots of steps the patient can take to effectively manage their severe allergy and to prevent an anaphylaxis attack, such as diet control, avoidance of contact with allergens, early recognition of symptoms and signs of allergy, sharing information with friends and colleagues, and updating their skills in self-administration of adrenaline through the use of a trainer Anapen® or EpiPen®.”
Notes to Editors:
1. In 2007, the Chief Medical Officer commissioned a Severe Allergy Group to develop guidance for healthcare professionals which would promote awareness of anaphylaxis. The guidance includes:
- Recognising and responding to the symptoms and signs of an anaphylactic reaction;
- Recognising and treating mild and severe reactions;
- Referral criteria for specialist services;
- Advice and information for patients, families and friends and sharing information with schools;
- Prescribed medicine, such as use of adrenaline (epinephrine) auto-injectors;
- Food management and other precautionary measures;
- Acute management of anaphylaxis; and
- Travel arrangements.
2. The NI Medical & Dental Training Agency, in partnership with EdCast Medical, has developed an online training module on the prevalence, diagnosis, recognition and management of allergy. This will be part of the core continuous professional development topics for general practitioners and will be made available to community pharmacists and nurses.
3. Anaphylaxis is an acute, severe allergic reaction requiring immediate medical attention. It usually occurs within seconds or minutes of exposure to a certain food or other substance, but on rare occasions may happen after a few hours. Common triggers include foods such as peanuts, tree nuts and fish, and also substances such as penicillin, latex, as well as the venom of stinging insects (such as bees, wasps or hornets).
4. For more severe allergic reactions an injection of adrenaline (epinephrine) is recommended. Pre-loaded injection devices containing one measured dose of adrenaline (epinephrine) are available on prescription (known as Anapen®/EpiPen®).
5. The Northern Ireland Medicines Governance Team was established in August 2002 and comprises of six senior pharmacists and an administrator dedicated to medicines risk management in acute Trusts in Northern Ireland. More information about the Team can be found on The Northern Ireland Medicines Governance Team website
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6. Media enquiries to DHSSPS Press Office on 02890 520074, or out of hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.
