Referring Doctors

Over the past 3 years, like many specialist practices, Melbourne Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Clinic has seen a huge increase in referrals. This has meant that our waiting times for non-urgent appointments have increased. All referrals are triaged by a specialist doctor, and appointments triaged as “urgent” are seen within the recommended time-frames. We are grateful for your patience as we work through our current waiting appointments, and we continue to support and recruit new specialists so we can continue to provide the high level of clinical services MAAIC prides itself upon. We encourage referring doctors to call us if they are worried and we are happy to discuss the issue and make an urgent appointment if necessary.

This clinic is staffed with allergists and immunologists, who do not intend to be the primary specialist managing these skin conditions. The optimal first approach is consultation with a Dermatologist. If Dermatology assessment has not been undertaken within the past two years, then we would recommend this to be done.There are newer eczema treatments now available through dermatology specialists. We unfortunately have a long waiting list and do not want individuals to be waiting for a long period of time and in doing so, missing out on more appropriate care. Dermatologists are well positioned to advise on diagnosis, skin care, eczema treatment and to assess contact reactions that flare dermatitis.

If there are other atopic conditions such as food allergy, asthma or hayfever, then we are the most appropriate clinic for specialist assessment of these. If the Dermatologist recommends an allergy review then we are also very happy to be consulted. Please let us know if this is the case and we will be pleased to schedule an appointment.

We are experiencing an extremely high number of referrals to this Allergy practice and as a result are attempting to streamline the process for patients so that they receive appropriate care with a minimum of delay. Although we can make an initial assessment, we do not perform medication allergy testing in this clinic. Therefore, to expedite assessment we are no longer booking appointments in our clinic for this problem but suggest referral directly to the centres in Melbourne that have the capacity perform such testing. Each of these units may have their own policies regarding suitability of referrals.

1. Alfred Health, Allergy Unit
   55 Commercial Road Prahran
   allergy@alfred.org.au
   F: (03) 9076 2934
   
   
2. Royal Melbourne Hospital, Allergy Unit
   Grattan Street, Parkville
   immunologyandallergy@mh.org.au
   F: (03) 9349 3199
   
   
3. Austin Health Antibiotic Allergy Unit
   Studley Road Heidelberg
   antibiotic.allergy@austin.org.au
   F: (03) 9496 6677

We are currently offering all patients the option for Telehealth consultations with our doctors. NEW PATIENTS ARE WELCOME. Please click here for more information.

We are experiencing an extremely high number of referrals to this Allergy practice and as a result are attempting to improve our processes for patients so that they receive appropriate care with a minimum of delay. Therefore, we are no longer offering appointments in our clinic for individuals who do not live in Victoria. The exception is for those who live on a state border where they are closer to Melbourne than Sydney (such as Albury-Wodonga, Deniliquin).

• Allergic respiratory diseases such as hay-fever
  In Victoria, "hay fever" or allergic rhinoconjunctivitis due to grass pollen allergy usually starts by October and goes through to December or longer, depending on a patient's specific grass allergy. For some, this is a major health problem causing nasal blockage and severe eye irritation while general fatigue can also be a major problem that results in lost work time. At this time there is also a risk for thunderstorm asthma which is a particular risk for those who suffer from hay fever.
  
  The first line treatment for hay fever is topical nasal steroids used on a daily basis. People should use them regularly from the commencement of hay fever season ( mid October ) till the end of December. Additional treatments for severe symptoms include oral non-sedating antihistamines and/ or topical eye medications such as antihistamine eyedrops or mast cell stabilisers.
  
  
• Desensitisation treatment (allergen immunotherapy) including injection and sublingual treatments
  
  
• Asthma and severe asthma
  Including lung function measurement and access to new therapies for more severe asthma such as omalizumab. We are actively involved in clinical trials for severe asthma, which can provide an option for patients who are poorly controlled despite currently available treatments.
  
  
• Anaphylaxis including stinging insect allergy and Food allergies
  
  
• Mastocytosis
  
  
• Immunodefiencies

Clinicians working in MAAIC are involved in clinical trials studying new medications and treatment and also basic research exploring the underlying mechanisms of disease . All trials are approved by an independent Ethics and Research Committee and informed consent and written enrolment procedures are mandated. If a patient appears suitable for a trial they will be invited by their treating doctor and their consent sought. Patients are always free to volunteer, or not volunteer for research studies without affecting their care in any way. If a patient does consent, their referring doctor will be notified.