House Of Lords To Debate Science Committee Allergy Report, UK

Main Category: Allergy
Article Date: 08 May 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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The House of Lords will on Thursday 8 May debate the Science and Technology Committee's report on Allergy which was published in September last year.

The Government responded to the report in November and accepted many of the Committee's recommendations. The debate will give the Committee the opportunity to question the Government on how far they have got in implementing these recommendations.

These included:

- The establishment of a pilot allergy centre to bring together and co-ordinate allergy services

- The need for better education and training in allergy treatment for health care professionals.

- The call for an urgent review of the under use of immunotherapy in this country.

The debate will be opened by Baroness Finlay of Llandaff who chaired the Science and Technology Sub-Committee on Allergy. Lord Darzi, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Health will respond for the government. So far ten other Members have put their names down to speak in the debate including six members of the Allergy sub-committee.

Commenting ahead of the debate Baroness Finlay, said:

"The Government were fairly positive about our report when we published last year but we are keen to push them as to why we haven't seen implementation of our recommendations. The Report was universally welcomed by patients and professional groups alike and it is time for the government to act on our proposals

"Allergies are a real cause for concern for many people across the country, especially the parents of allergic children. As spring comes around again and incidences of hay fever and other allergies increase it is important the Government takes action to make sure the misery of the millions of allergy sufferers in the population is minimised."

The debate will take place at around 4pm on Thursday 8 May in the Chamber of the House of Lords.

Notes

1. The debate will be broadcast live at: http://www.parliamentlive.tv

2. The number of Peers due to speak in the debate is likely to increase before the 8 May. For the most up to date speakers list please see: here.

3. The Committee's original report and the government response to that report are available here.

http://www.parliament.uk