Referral to Allergy/Clinical Immunology Services

This webpage includes the following information:

Referral to a Clinical Immunology/Allergy Specialist | ASCIA Guide for Referral to a Clinical Immunology/Allergy Specialist | ASCIA Management Summary for Allergic Conditions | ASCIA Event Record for Allergic Reactions | Standard of Care for Transition from Paediatric to Adult Allergy Services | Adrenaline Device PBS Authority Form | ASCIA Management Summary for Immune Deficiency Disorders  

Referral to a Clinical Immunology/Allergy Specialist

Clinical immunology/allergy specialists provide medical care for patients in Australia and New Zealand with the following immune system disorders:

• Allergic diseases (including food, drug and insect/tick allergies, anaphylaxis, allergic rhinitis, eczema and asthma)
• Autoimmune diseases (including vasculitis and other connective tissue diseases)
• Immune deficiencies (inborn errors of immunity including primary immune deficiencies, secondary immune deficiencies and transplantation)

Further information about clinical immunology/allergy specialists is avialable at:

What is a clinical immunology/allergy specialist? 

Information about training to be a clinical immunology/allergy specialist 

1. Previously had a life threatening severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
2. Complex multiple allergic diseases (e.g. allergic rhinitis and asthma or eczema)
3. Confirmed or suspected IgE mediated allergy to foods, drugs, insects or occupational allergens
4. Food or drug allergies, to undergo medically supervised allergen challenges
5. Insect or respiratory allergy, when allergen immunotherapy is contemplated
6. Continuing poor control of asthma, despite regular use of asthma medication
7. Confirmed or suspected chronic urticaria (hives) and/or angioedema
8. Confirmed or suspected immune deficiencies (e.g with recurrent or unusual infections)
9. Confirmed or suspected immune deficiencies (e.g with recurrent or unusual swellings)
10. Confirmed or suspected autoimmune or autoinflammatory diseases (e.g. with unexplained fevers or weight loss)

ASCIA is in the process of developing template forms to facilitate referrals from GPs and other medical practitioners to clinical immunology/allergy specialists. The template forms will be available on this webpage. 

Information about the referral process in Australia is available at https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/what-is-a-referral

ASCIA Management Summary for Allergic Conditions

This form includes type in fields and tick boxes that can be completed by a doctor to support a referral to a clinical immunology/allergy specialist and/or GP. The aim of this form is to improve the referral process and support continuity of care, including transition of young adults from paediatric to adult medical care. The completed form can be saved and emailed, or printed out, and is available open access on the ASCIA website:

www.allergy.org.au/hp/anaphylaxis/ascia-management-summary-allergic-conditions

Referral Templates for Allergic Conditions are in development

ASCIA Event Record for Allergic Reactions

This form includes type in fields and tick boxes that can be completed by the patient (or their parent/carer) and provided to the patient’s doctor or nurse practitioner before, or at the time of their appointment. The completed form can be saved and emailed, or printed out, and is available open access on the ASCIA website: 

www.allergy.org.au/hp/anaphylaxis/anaphylaxis-event-record

Standard of Care for Transition from Paediatric to Adult Allergy Services

As part of the Shared Care for Allergy project, the National Allergy Council has developed a national standard of care for the transition of patients from paediatric (children’s) to adult allergy services. The transition of care standard is for public hospitals and health services, but private health services can also use it.

https://nationalallergycouncil.org.au/projects/shared-care-for-allergy/transition

Adrenaline Device PBS Authority Form

www.allergy.org.au/hp/anaphylaxis/adrenaline-authority-form

Management Summary for Immune Deficiency Disorders  

This resource is in development.

In the meantime the following ASCIA resources are available:

ASCIA Treatment Summary for Patients on Immunoglobulin Therapy

ASCIA Subcutaneous Immunoglobulin (SCIg) Treatment Plan

Webpage updated August 2024