Care pathways for children with allergies

Allergic conditions constitute the commonest causes of chronic disease in childhood and affect upwards of 20% of the child population. They seriously impair quality of life and health and occasionally can lead to death. The socio-economic costs are large.

In 2007 the RCPCH Research Division was commissioned by the Department of Health to scope the development of care pathways for children with allergic symptoms following the Department of Health publication on the "Review of allergy services" (2006).

The review recommended that there was a specific need to define care pathways for children with allergy symptoms. A scoping group was formed and concluded that care pathways can and should be defined. 

The work on developing six national care pathways began in June 2009.  The work is directed by a Project Board chaired by Professor John Warner.  Individual working groups produce final drafts for the consideration of the Allergy Care Pathway Project Board with the final approval granted by the RCPCH Clinical Standards Team. 

In March 2010 the Department of Health provided additional funding to develop tools for use in the local implementation the pathways. This work is now underway. 

For more information about the project, please contact the College on allergy@rcpch.ac.uk or 020 7092 6165.

Pathway approval process

The pathways underwent a rigorous approval process. The stages are listed below:

1. Approval by the relevant working group
2. Approval from the RCPCH Allergy Care Pathways Project Board
3. Approval from the RCPCH Clinical Standards team
4. Approval from other medical colleges co-badging the pathways

The RCPCH Council Readers also ensured that the pathways were fit for a generic audience.  Relevant medial colleges are also invited to co-badge the care pathways.

Pathways

The following care pathways for children with allergic conditions can be downloaded from

• Anaphylaxis
• Food allergy
• Asthma/Rhinitis
• Eczema
• Urticaria/Mastocytosis/Angio-oedema
• Drug allergy
• Venom allergy
• Latex allergy

Allergy information

To help children and young people and their families understand what to expect when they get an allergy diagnosis, we have produced a series of leaflets and videos about allergy care. Go to information for families.

We have developed a range of tools to implement the allergy care pathways as well as educational materials. Go to information for health professionals.

Key publications

• Royal College of Physicians (2003). Allergy, the unmet need. RCP
• House of Commons Health Committee. The provision of Allergy services. 6th report of session 2003-04. HC696-1
• Department of Health (2006). A review of services for allergy: The epidemiology, demand for and provision of treatment and effectiveness of clinical interventions.
• House of Lords Science and Technology committee 6th report of session 2006-07. Allergy. HL paper 166-1
• Royal College of Physicians (2010). Allergy services: still not meeting the unmet need. RCP