Kent and Canterbury Hospital has launched the region’s first specialist allergy clinic for adults, now open to patients over the age of 16. This new service addresses various allergic conditions, including those triggered by airborne particles, medications, venom, and food. Referrals can be made by GPs to East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust.

The clinic is led by Dr. Leman Mutlu, a consultant immunologist and allergist, who trained at a renowned World Allergy Organisation centre in Birmingham.

Dr. Mutlu emphasised the significance of this new service:

“To date, people in the area have not had local access to specialist care for allergies. This means patients have either had to go elsewhere – often to services in London, Surrey or Sussex – or have gone without specialist care. I have already spoken to one patient who was offered treatment for a wasp venom allergy in London. The treatment is 95% effective in curing the life-threatening allergy. However, as it meant they had to be in London weekly for 12 weeks, they decided to turn the treatment down and continue to live with the risk of a reaction, which means being prepared to execute an emergency management plan and avoiding certain activities completely, such as gardening. I am so pleased this is about to change.”

With allergies becoming increasingly common—affecting one in three people in the UK according to the Royal College of Physicians—the clinic aims to provide advanced diagnostic testing, personalised treatment plans, and ongoing support. The clinic will also prioritise patient education, empowering individuals to manage their allergies effectively.

Dr Mutlu said: “There is an increase being seen in allergies in patients worldwide. While we have many effective treatments now, there is still a lot that is unknown, and much research is needed.

“I am very pleased to have connected with researchers from both University of Kent and Canterbury Christchurch University to discuss research opportunities once the clinical service is established.

“The patients that I have seen so far have been very grateful for the service. It is also very exciting for me, and I look forward to the expansion of the clinical service over time.”

The parents of a young tennis player who tragically passed away from anaphylactic shock expressed their delight in supporting the launch of Kent’s first specialist allergy clinic. The Adults Allergy Clinic, catering to those aged 16 and above, was officially inaugurated at a conference held at the Kent and Medway Medical School in Canterbury on Tuesday.

The new NHS allergy service is supported by Allergy UK and the Sadie Bristow Foundation, a charity established in memory of Sadie Bristow, a nine-year-old from Chartham who had asthma and a dairy allergy. Her parents, Stewart and Clare Bristow, are proud to back the clinic, which addresses a gap in care for older teenagers and adults with allergies.

After Sadie tragically collapsed during a family outing at Whitstable Castle in 2018, her parents channeled their grief into founding the charity to raise awareness and support for allergy sufferers.

Sadie was rushed to the hospital by her parents and later airlifted to St George’s Hospital in London, but despite the doctors’ best efforts, she could not be revived. Clare Bristow points out that while paediatric allergy clinics are available in east Kent, there is no specialised care for those once they turn 16.

“It really is a wonderful thing to be able to support this new clinic at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital by helping to provide equipment and furnishings,” said Claire.

“Everyone involved is so passionate and enthusiastic about it and it’s great news for sufferers, some of who even have to travel to London for treatment.”

“There are thousands of older people with various allergies in Kent, from food to things like insect bites, which causes them misery and can potentially be quite dangerous.”

Consultant immunologist and allergist Dr. Leman Mutlu, who will lead the new clinic at Kent and Canterbury Hospital, has called it a “major milestone.” The facility will provide essential resources for patients with allergies and will be staffed by a team of expert allergists and medical professionals, focused on diagnosing and managing a wide range of allergy-related conditions.

Dr Mutlu added: “Our goal is to enhance the quality of life for patients by providing personalised, state-of-the-art care and treatment for allergies, which can significantly impact daily living.

“To date, people in the area have not had local access to specialist care for allergies.

“This means patients have either had to go elsewhere – often to services in London, Surrey or Sussex – or have gone without specialist care

“Nationally, allergy treatment is a huge unmet clinical need.

“This is the very first time we have a specialist service for adults like this in east Kent, and it’s a privilege to be able to offer it.

“I have already spoken to one patient who was offered treatment for a wasp venom allergy in London. The treatment is 95% effective in curing the life-threatening allergy.

“However, as it meant they had to be in London weekly for 12 weeks, they decided to turn the treatment down and continue to live with the risk of a reaction, which means being prepared to execute an emergency management plan and avoiding certain activities completely, such as gardening.”

Starting this week, patients over 16 with allergies can be referred to East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust’s new service by their GP. The clinic is also collaborating with researchers from Christ Church University and the Met Office to install an onsite weather station to monitor pollen levels.

The Sadie Bristow Foundation has raised over £80,000 to support allergy research and produce educational materials for patients and their families. Despite managing her allergies, Sadie was a talented tennis player, ranked as the top nine-year-old in the country by the Lawn Tennis Association at the time of her tragic death.

“The work her foundation is doing for other allergy sufferers is a wonderful legacy of an amazing young girl who had such spirit and talent and was always helping others,” Claire said.