health professionals

Families and individuals living with allergies, especially severe or potentially life-threatening ones, need support and information. They need to know how to avoid allergens, and how to manage the many challenges they face in their day-to-day lives.

Allergy New Zealand can help with information, support and resources and you can help your patients get this help by encouraging them to join our organisation.

Initial diagnosis of a severe allergy, in particular, can be an anxious time for patients, and it is through access to accurate information and support that they are able to manage their allergy successfully. This can help reduce anxiety.

We can provide you with information packs for your patients, and these include membership forms, Allergy New Zealand information, allergy specialist and dietitian contacts (click here for a list of allergy specialists in New Zealand) and a copy of our quarterly magazine Allergy Today. Click here to order an information pack.

We are a not-for-profit patient support organisation that relies on membership subscriptions, donations and grants to continue our work raising awareness, providing education and working with the community on behalf of those living with allergy.

Medical panel

We are supported by a medical advisory panel consisting of members of the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology & Allergy (ASCIA) – the peak professional body of New Zealand and Australian clinical immunologists and allergy specialists.

Resources

We have a wide ranges of resources available, including DVDs, posters, pamphlets, education kits for preschools and schools, EpiPen accessories and more. These are available on our online shop.

Educational opportunities

We have a range of educational opportunities, including conferences, presentations and workshops. These are listed in News and Events.
For more information about support and resources for your patients, click here to send an email to our chief executive, Penny Jorgensen, or phone 09 623 3912.

Anaphylaxis training in schools and early childhood services!

Allergy New Zealand has an anaphylaxis training resource for health professionals who provide anaphylaxis training to schools and early childhood services.

The resource includes a 23-slide presentation written and reviewed by Allergy New Zealand; Pauline Brown (paediatric eczema/allergy nurse, Northland); Dr Jan Sinclair (paediatric immunologist, Starship) and Cathy Sampson (Public Health Nurse, Dunedin). The resource is presented in a specially designed folder and includes the following:

Introduction
Evaluation forms
Presentation in three formats:
CD Rom
Overhead acetates
Flip chart (for small groups)
Frequently asked questions
Risk management tips for schools
Food allergy fact sheets
EpiPen trainer pen
Posters
Revised Allergy and Anaphylaxis Guidelines for Early Childhood Services and Schools

The presentation includes the recently revised Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology & Allergy (ASCIA) action plans; basic allergy information and practical guidance for schools and preschools.

The cost is $250.00 plus GST per pack and is available to Public Health Nurses or School Nurses who have attended an Allergy New Zealand anaphylaxis in schools presentation.

If you would like any further information, please don’t hesitate to contact Penny Jorgensen.

Information for health professionals

ACC claims for anaphylaxis, click here.
The following links to articles have been made with permission from the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) and are from their website, www.allergy.org.au.

Adverse drug reactions

Aeroallergen Avoidance: is it worthwhile?

Allergic Reactions to Antibiotics

ASCIA EpiPen Prescription Guidelines [PDF (printable version)]

Anaphylaxis Action Plans:

Anaphylaxis Action Plan - general
Anaphylaxis Action Plan - personal
Anaphylaxis Action Plan for insect allergy - personal
Allergic Reaction Action Plan - personal

Atopic Dermatitis

Common Myths Concerning Allergy

Cow's Milk (dairy) allergy [ PDF (printable) version ]

Diagnosis and Management of Food Hypersensitivity In Childhood

Laboratory Tests in the Diagnosis of Allergic Diseases

Latex Allergy

Management of Allergic Rhinitis [ PDF (printable) version ]

Nasal Polyps

Rhinitis and Sinusitis

Stinging Insect Allergy

Urticaria

Position Statement: Allergy prevention in children

Download the guideline
• Acrobat PDF format (101 Kb)

A summary of the ASCIA Position Statement: Allergy Prevention in Children is published in the Medical Journal of Australia 2005; 182 (9): 464-467
www.mja.com.au

Useful links

Medsafe Consumer Medicine Information

EpiPen®

EpiPen® Jnr