Who We Are
Dedicated allergy care for Christchurch, Canterbury, and the wider South Island.
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 or the wider South Island 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.
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 GP 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.
Helpful resources:
How to Book
Step 1: Read the Patient Information on This Page
Before completing our questionnaire, please make sure you read the information below.
Step 2: Complete the Pre-Appointment Questionnaire
This questionnaire is reviewed by our clinical team.
We accept both doctor referrals and self-referrals - no doctor referral is needed.
Doctors: Referrals are made via ERMS.
Step 3: We'll Contact You
After reviewing your questionnaire, we will be in touch to arrange a booking. We will endeavour to contact you within 5 working days
Step 4: Prepare for Your Appointment
Once your appointment is confirmed, we will send more information about the appointment process and preparation.
What to Expect at Your Appointment
Your first visit takes approximately 45 minutes (up to one hour) and includes:
1. History and Assessment
The doctor and nurse will discuss your symptoms, medical history, and potential 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.
We will then discuss these results with you and your whanau.
3. Plan
We will discuss with you personalised guidance on potential treatments and recommendations for 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.
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 affiliated provider. Of you are insured with another company, we recommend contacting them directly to confirm coverage for our service.
Clinic Hours
Monday to Thursday
Appointments are by arrangement. You will be able to book once we have assessed your questionnaire.