How to Begin
Who we see
We work with people aged 5 years and over and accept both doctor referrals and self-referrals.
We also provide ongoing management of desensitisation treatments (allergen immunotherapy) for eligible patients.
Looking to transfer to us for your desensitisation treatment?
If you are currently receiving desensitisation treatment from another provider and are relocating to Christchurch please email us at admin@allergyservice.co.nz
If you have allergy concerns and are unsure whether we are the right service for you, please complete the questionnaire and we will get in touch with you.
Completing the questionnaire does not mean you have to commit to an appointment.
Who we are unable to see
For clinical reasons, unfortunately we are unable to consult for:
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Children under 5 years of age - please see your family doctor in the first instance
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Patients requiring acute or emergency care
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Patients with mainly gut symptoms – these are varied and we recommend seeing your family doctor first
Important: We do not provide acute or emergency services.
If you are experiencing severe allergic symptoms or anaphylaxis, call 111 or visit your nearest emergency department immediately.
How to book
Step 1: Read the information on this page
Before completing our questionnaire, please make sure you read all the information on this page.
Step 2: Complete the questionnaire at the bottom of this page
This questionnaire is reviewed by our clinical team.
We accept both doctor referrals and self-referrals - a doctor referral is not essential.
Step 3: We will contact you
After reviewing your questionnaire, we will call you to arrange a booking. We will endeavour to contact you within 7 working days
Step 4: Prepare for Your Appointment
Once your appointment is confirmed, we will send more information about the appointment process and preparation.
Note to Doctors: Referrals are made via ERMS.
What to expect at your appointment
Your first visit takes approximately 45 minutes and includes:
1. History and Assessment
The doctor and nurse will discuss your symptoms, medical history, and potential symptom triggers in detail.
2. Testing*
You will usually receive a skin-prick test, this is most often performed on the forearms but may sometimes be on the back. A small amount of allergen is placed on the skin, then the skin is pricked using a small pricking device (lancet). This can be slightly uncomfortable but should not be painful. You will likely experience some temporary itching at the site.
Reactions on the skin appear like an itchy bite and are measured by their size after 15 minutes.
We will then discuss these results with you and your whānau.
3. Plan
We will talk with you about personalised options for treatment and symptom management.
*Blood Tests (if indicated)
Additional blood tests may be recommended based on your history.
Costs
Initial Appointment: $450
This includes consultation, testing, and comprehensive discussion of management options.
Initial appointment excluding testing $275
Ongoing Care:
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Nurse subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) appointment: $60
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Annual Doctor Review: $155
Insurance:
We are a Southern Cross Easy-Claim provider. We will process the claim on your behalf at the time of the appointment.
If you are insured with another provider, we recommend contacting them directly to confirm coverage for our service. If you are covered for allergy testing you will be required to pay at your appointment and will then file the claim yourself directly with your provider.
Clinic Hours
Monday to Thursday
Appointments are by arrangement. We will call you to book your first appointment once we have assessed your questionnaire.