Eoin Ryan
Ceist:30 Mr. E. Ryan asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, he has to produce a policy document on allergies and the way in which people should deal with such problems. [17206/96]
Written Answers. - Policy Document on Allergies.
Allergies arise from a very 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 consultants about their particular situation, it is difficult to set down a policy position which would adequately reflect the full range of situations which can arise. Consequently, I have no plans at present to produces a policy document on allergies.
However, in relation to food allergies, I would like to inform the Deputy that my Department has written to the health boards and voluntary hospitals alerting them to the problem of food allergies and advising them to raise the awareness of all appropriate medical personnel including general practitioners.