The UK’s first National Allergy Strategy has been launched to address a growing public health challenge affecting millions. In response, the British Society for Immunology's Clinical Immunology Professional Network (BSI-CIPN) has issued the following statement.
The BSI-CIPN welcomes the publication of the National Allergy Strategy and commends its thorough and constructive analysis of a major and growing public health challenge. The Strategy reflects valuable input from a wide range of expert stakeholders across allergy and clinical immunology, and provides a strong foundation for meaningful, system‑wide change.
The BSI-CIPN agrees that people living with allergies are currently underserved by existing healthcare structures. The Strategy highlights the essential role of Clinical Immunology in allergy care, including the delivery of accurate and safe diagnostics, specialist clinical management, and leadership of diagnostic laboratory services where allergy testing is performed.
Dr Patrick Yong, BSI-CIPN Training and Education Lead and incoming Deputy Chair of the BSI-CIPN, said:
"Allergy and clinical immunology workforce is critically small and under severe pressure. We strongly support the Strategy’s call for urgent expansion of consultant and training posts, alongside sustained investment in multidisciplinary teams spanning medical, scientific and allied health professionals.
Addressing this workforce gap requires national leadership, coordinated workforce planning and long‑term investment to ensure equitable, high‑quality allergy and immunology services are available across the UK."
The Strategy can be read in full on the National Allergy Strategy Group's website.