Understanding Allergies Conference 2024

How to manage allergies with confidence

Specialists within the field of allergy were there to answer questions in panel discussions, workshops and presentations.

The event was aimed at parents, families and anyone who has a child in their care.

Allergies affect 1 in 10 children, this is set to increase year on year.

The WHO has said allergies are an epidemic, services are a postcode lottery

More training needs to be provided and more jobs created so our children can get the best chance in life.. to not feel excluded, to not feel isolated and not to be bullied.

Sadie Bristow Foundation

Sadie Bristow Foundation: Chair and Co-founder Clare Bristow attended. A family having lost a child to anaphylaxis and still living with a child with severe allergies.

The Sadie Bristow Foundation was set up after their daughter Sadie died of an anaphylactic reaction in 2018. Sadie was the UK’s no1 tennis player at the age of 9. Their aim is to help other families on their journey with allergies whilst spreading awareness and one day be able to say we now have a full service within Kent.

Our 2024 conference speakers

Professor Helen Brough

Professor Helen Brough is the President of the Allergy and Immunology Section of the Royal Society of Medicine.

Professor Bernhard F. Gibbs

Professor of Biomedical Science at Canterbury Christ Church University and an
außerplanmäßiger Professor of Experimental Allergology at the University of Lübeck, Germany. He has extensive research and teaching experience in the field of immunology, especially in allergies, autoimmune diseases, and cancer.

Dr Helen Evans-Howells

GP With Specialist Interest in Allergy and the Owner of Dorset Allergy. Dr Evans-Howell gave a fantastic presentation on her journey as a GP and mother of a son who had been diagnosed with allergies. She is also a trustee for Anaphylaxis campaign.

Dr Hazel Gowland

Hazel is a leading food allergy advocate, expert patient,
researcher and university lecturer.

Misbha Primett

Paediatric Allergy Dietitian, Founder of ‘Little People Dietitian’, nutritionist and a registered Children’s Dietitian (RD) who has specialised in Allergy. Allergy Dietician at St George’s Hospital.

Natalie Hopkins

Founder and lead trainer at the Allergy Badge. An accredited allergy training provider.

Francesca Sawer

Francesca is an experienced clinical psychologist
specialising in paediatrics, currently working at Great
Ormond Street Hospital in London.

Catherine Sutton

Catherine Sutton is the Founder of Airborne Allergy Action CIC which raises awareness of the benefits of inhaled allergen avoidance and improved indoor air quality (alongside prescribed medication), for asthma and other allergic illnesses.