Immunology

The Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit is a regional centre serving the population of Surrey, Berkshire and neighbouring areas. The unit functions as a network based across several NHS Trusts in the region, including the Royal Surrey, Frimley Health and Ashford and St Peters, and provides clinical services in several locations.

Adult immunodeficiency service

This service is for adults (from the age of 16 years) who have a deficiency or weakness of their immune system. We see people with recurrent, severe, unusual or persistent infections when an immunodeficiency is suspected, although many people who suffer from recurrent infections have a completely normal immune system.

We also provide immunoglobulin replacement therapy as well as home therapy services for people on immunoglobulin treatment and with hereditary angioedema.

To be seen in the immunology service, you will need a referral from your GP via the electronic referral system (ERS) or from another hospital doctor who has seen you.

Adult immunodeficiency service

We also provide immunoglobulin replacement therapy as well as home therapy services for people on immunoglobulin treatment and with hereditary angioedema.

To be seen in the immunology service, you will need a referral from your GP via the electronic referral system (ERS) or from another hospital doctor who has seen you.

One of our clinicians will first take the full details of your symptoms and how they have affected you. You can therefore expect to be asked lots of questions and we are particularly interested in the following things:

Past history of serious, recurrent or unusual infections
Whether anyone else in the family has an immunodeficiency
Your current medications; we may also ask you about medicines you have been on in the past such as chemotherapy or immune-suppressants.
If and when you received any vaccinations, in particular the tetanus or pneumonia vaccination

It is likely that you will have some blood tests and there is a phlebotomy service based within the outpatients department.

Since these conditions tend to be complex, the appointments are necessarily thorough and long. Please allow 1-2 hours for your first appointment with us.

If blood tests are requested, because of the nature of the tests, it is quite normal for the results to take a number of weeks to be available. We sometimes give vaccinations as part of the investigation process, which we often arrange to happen via your GP. If a vaccination is necessary, you may require additional blood tests some weeks later. These are usually taken by your GP and the results discussed as part of a follow up appointment with us.

Hereditary angioedema is a rare inherited condition which results in episodes of swelling in various body parts including the hands, feet, face and throat. Other symptoms may include severe abdominal pain and vomiting.

We look after a large number of individuals and families with hereditary angioedema or related conditions of recurrent swellings. We provide support for people to self-manage their condition.

The following patient organisation provides additional useful information about Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) UK