Health officials are joining forces to promote national Allergy Awareness Week

The local health community in Dorset are combining to help promote the awareness-raising week, and to also help people who suffer from a variety of allergies.

People who may have reactions to medicines are being encouraged to call in to their local GP practice to pick up an information leaflet and an allergy card which can be used in a medical emergency.

The allergy cards have been launched by members of the NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) medicines management team working closely with members of the local pharmaceutical committee.

By completing and carrying a card, clinicians can easily see if there is likely to be any reaction to a required medicine should treatment be needed.

Health chiefs are now urging people to carry these cards so that if they need urgent medical treatment, doctors can adapt the medicines administered to a patient’s unique needs.

Nick Bolton, a senior pharmacist at NHS Dorset CCG, said: “We are encouraging anyone who is affected by an allergy to a medicine to pick up a card and start to carry it with them.

“It is important to know what medicines or substances to avoid if you are unwell, as having an allergy to a particular medicine can cause discomfort and in some cases anaphylactic shock which is caused by an over-reaction of the immune system.

“Carrying a card can help ensure that when you do need help, the clinicians treating you have all the information they need, enabling them to give you the best possible care.”

As part of the awareness week, which ends on Saturday, April 26, people who suffer from common allergies such as hayfever, nut allergies and dust allergies are being urged to research the illnesses to find out what the best treatment would be for them.

Jacqui Bowden, acting chief pharmacist for the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals, said: “It is really important to have allergy information readily available on admission to hospital or when attending a clinic.

“The allergy card will help improve safe prescribing in an emergency, and will be a useful prompt for patients who are unsure of the medicines they are allergic to.

“When completing your allergy card, ask your GP surgery for your allergy list if you do not know it”.

More information on Allergy Awareness Week is available via the NHS Dorset CCG website dorsetccg.nhs.uk.