Clinical immunology and allergy unit opens in Sheffield

Published: 14-May-2021

Major refurbishment completed at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

A newly-refurbished clinical immunology and allergy unit has opened at Northern General Hospital in Sheffield.

Designed with input from patients, the modern facilities will ensure the growing demand for the regional service can be met while providing additional space for six people to remain socially distanced in the waiting area.

This will be key in helping more patients to be seen safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As well as boasting a new, easily-accessible entrance, the newly-expanded unit has been upgraded to include a waiting room TV screen and additional side room to provide a dignified and more-comfortable environment for patients to be cared for away from the main assessment, treatment, and diagnosis areas.

The expanded facilities will also help further develop staff roles within the unit, with staff nurse numbers increasing by three.

Dr Anna Shrimpton, consultant immunologist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and clinical lead for the new unit, said: “This was a much-needed upgrade, providing a modern and welcoming environment for patients to receive specialist investigation and treatment for allergies and immunological disorders.

“As well as providing patients with increased space, the new unit will help us to further develop staff roles and the specialist regional services we offer to patients.”

Adrian Shores, 57, from Wadworth near Doncaster, was referred to the unit after suffering with a life-threatening wasp sting while cycling alone in 2018.

The sting, which rendered him unconscious for 10 minutes, caused his breathing and heart to stop and he was subsequently diagnosed with a rare blood condition called systemic mastosytosis, and was offered a three-year course of treatment which could protect him from a life-threatening wasp sting in the future.

“I liked the old unit, but the brand-new fully-operational unit is such an improvement, modern, well designed, open and comfortable.”

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