A doctor at Harrogate District Hospital has set up a service to “debunk the myth” of penicillin allergy.
One in 10 people are currently diagnosed with a penicillin allergy but Dr Mike Wakefield, a respiratory consultant, said the true figure was thought to be closer to one in 100.
This meant people often received less effective antibiotics with greater side effects, he said.
Dr Wakefield said people diagnosed as penicillin allergic were more likely to die in the next year, require repeat prescriptions for antibiotics and contract superbugs. He said:
“Penicillin drugs which are used to kill bacteria are a vital part of the antimicrobial armoury.
“I’ve set up a service in the district to start challenging this by finding out more about why people have gained a label of penicillin allergic and when suitable given them a dose of penicillin under close observation.”
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Dr Wakefield said many people were told they were allergic to penicillin in childhood and never challenged this. Sometimes this was because they experienced side effects when taking penicillin but side effects are common with all drugs and don’t necessarily indicate allergic reactions.
He added GPs sometimes found it safer to prescribe alternatives. Also, many people grow out of childhood allergies.
Dr Wakefield said his service aimed to debunk the myth that penicillin allergies were widespread.
Since starting in Harrogate a year ago he has completed a pilot study of de-labelling patients branded penicillin allergic.
He has given supervised amoxicillin or flucloxacillin penicillin tablets to patients with frequent chest infections whose medical history indicated they might not have a real penicillin allergy.
If patients didn’t have a reaction, he said they could take penicillin-based antibiotics for future infections.
Dr Wakefield said a combination of supervised tests and clinical tests meant the likeliness of a true allergy could be understood.
Besides his ad hoc trials at the hospital, Dr Wakefield provides a penicillin service at the Duchy Hospital in Harrogate. People can either be referred by their GP or book appointments.
Specialist menopause clinic to open in Harrogate
A private hospital in Harrogate is to open a specialist menopause clinic in Harrogate next week.
The Duchy Hospital on Queens Road is providing the service in partnership with menopause website My Menopause Centre.
A free menopause workshop led by specialists Dr Clare Spencer and Dr Anna Greaves will take place at David Lloyd, Harrogate on Tuesday, October 12 — two days before the clinic opens to patients.
The workshop topics will include menopause transition stages and symptoms, preparing for and managing menopause and reframing attitudes.
Patients can book consultations directly with the hospital.
Michelle Eardley, executive director of the Duchy Hospital, said:
“Menopause is a challenging condition that affects thousands of women across North Yorkshire. Working with My Menopause Centre is part of our commitment to ensuring that patients across Harrogate and further afield have fast access to the services they need.”
Dr Clare Spencer, co-founder of My Menopause Centre, said the clinic will give women a holistic service as they transition through the perimenopause and menopause.
The Duchy Hospital, which is part of Circle Health Group, opened in 1959 and offers a range of inpatient and outpatient services. The hospital also supports patients from the NHS.
Circle Health Group, which acquired BMI Healthcare in January 2020, operates Britain’s largest network of independent hospitals.
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Business Breakfast: Harrogate Town agrees partnership with Circle Health Group
Harrogate Town has agreed a partnership with the Duchy Hospital.
The agreement will see the hospital, which is part of Circle Health Group, offer medical check-ups, health screening and private GP appointments to first team players.
It will also see specialist clinics available to players before and after EFL League Two fixtures this coming season.
Rachel McGeachie, head of medical and physiotherapy at Harrogate Town FC, said:
“They offer an invaluable service to the club that provides both peace of mind to the player, their families as well as the club and myself.”
Michelle Eardley, executive director of the Duchy Hospital, said:
“As a fellow local organisation, we understand how important the club is to the community and we look forward to supporting the players and club staff throughout the season with specialist care across a range of services.”
Harrogate law firm makes new litigation hire
A Harrogate law firm has appointed a new litigation executive.
Truth Legal, which is based on Victoria Avenue, has hired Sarah Doyle to its team.
Sarah joins the firm with 30 years ‘ experience of working within the legal services industry, the majority of which has been within the personal injury sector.
She has acted for claimants involved in road traffic accidents, including 10 years spent acting on behalf of motorcyclists, and has focused on clinical negligence cases for the last three years.
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Business Breakfast: Harrogate private hospital joins forces with Mumsnet
Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.
The Duchy Hospital in Harrogate has joined forces with parenting website Mumsnet to help women get answers to a range of gynaecology-related problems.
The partnership gives Mumsnet users the chance to ask women’s health-related questions directly to one of the UK’s leading gynaecologists.
Dr Sujata Gupta is a consultant gynaecologist at Circle Health Group, the healthcare provider that runs the hospital.
Historically the diagnosis and treatment of gynaecological conditions have been challenging, with women often left waiting years for a diagnosis, or in some cases never receiving a clear answer.
Dr Gupta hopes the campaign will empower women to better understand their health.
She said:
“Thousands of women in Yorkshire struggle with the effects of a gynaecological condition and yet often go undiagnosed for years.
“The greatest challenge is often finding the right information, or the feeling of embarrassment that comes suffering with this type of condition.
“This has a dramatic impact on how women engage with healthcare professionals and ultimately prevents them from asking the appropriate questions and getting the diagnosis they need.”
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Event to help businesses become menopause-friendly
Community organisation Mylifepool Harrogate will host an event for businesses to learn more about how to become more menopause-friendly.
It will coincide with World Menopause Day on October 18, which raises awareness of the menopause and the support options available.
The event will take place at Crowne Plaza in Harrogate and promises an evening of “no-nonsense advice” about menopause in the workplace.
Tickets cost £4 and there is a 20% discount on food and drink at the hotel.
For more information on topics covered, and to book, visit here.