'Much-needed upgrade': Patient praises changes made at Sheffield hospital unit

The newly expanded unit at the Northern General, which sees around 190 patients a week, has recently been expanded and upgraded to accommodate a more spacious waiting area, five consulting rooms, a new phlebotomy room and a day case area with 12 chairs for administration of treatment.

Designed with input from patients, the new modern facilities will ensure that the growing demand for the regional service can be met whilst providing additional space for six people to remain socially distanced in the waiting area.

As well as boasting a new, easily accessible entrance, the newly expanded unit has been upgraded to include a waiting room TV screen and additional side room to provide a dignified and more comfortable environment for patients to be cared for away from the main assessment, treatment and diagnosis areas if required.

The expanded facilities will also help further develop staff roles within the unit, with staff nurse numbers increasing by three.

Dr Anna Shrimpton, Consultant Immunologist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Clinical Lead for the Clinical Immunology and Allergy Unit said: “We are delighted to have opened our newly expanded Clinical Immunology and Allergy Unit.

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"This was a much-needed upgrade, providing a modern and welcoming environment for patients to receive specialist investigation and treatment for allergies and immunological disorders.

"As well as providing patients with increased space, the new unit will help us to further develop staff roles and the specialist regional services we offer to patients.”

Adrian Shores, 57 from Wadworth near Doncaster, was referred to the Clinical Immunology and Allergy Unit after suffering with a life-threatening wasp sting while cycling alone in 2018.

The sting, which rendered him unconscious for 10 minutes, caused his breathing and heart to stop.

He was subsequently diagnosed with a rare blood condition called systemic mastosytosis, and was offered a three-year course of treatment which could protect him from a life-threatening wasp sting in the future.

He said: “I liked the old unit, but the brand new fully operational unit is such an improvement, more space, modern, well designed, open and comfortable. The atmosphere is relaxed yet professional and the staff are as amazing as ever.”