John Gormley
Question:201 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children if immunotherapy for hayfever and other allergies is available; and if this treatment is available in other European Union countries such as Germany. [10672/98]
Written Answers. - Allergy Treatment.
Allergies arise from a wide variety of causes and affect individuals in many different ways. Therefore, beyond advising sufferers to keep in close contact with their general practitioners or hospital consultant about their own particular situation, it is difficult to set down a general policy position which would adequately reflect the full range of situations which can arise.
I am not aware that immunotherapy treatment for hayfever and other allergies is available in public hospitals. However, as regards food allergies, the Deputy may wish to know that my Department has written to the health boards and voluntary hospitals alerting them to the problem of food allergies and outlining such issues as the likely symptoms and the appropriate treatment of patients presenting allergic reactions. My Department asked the health boards and voluntary hospitals to bring its correspondence in relation to food allergies to the attention of all appropriate medical personnel in the relevant hospital or health board area, including, in particular, general practitioners.