22 June 2001

photo opportunity 2pm, Monday 25 June, Bonar Hall, University of Dundee.

The UK's first mobile Asthma & Allergy Screening Unit - set to boost detection and awareness of all types of allergies - will be launched at the University of Dundee on Monday 25 June by the University rector, Fred MacAulay.

The mobile unit, devised by the Asthma & Allergy Research group in the medical school will allow the group to link up with medical practices and health centres throughout Tayside providing on the spot tests such as allergy skin prick testing and lung function tests. Allergy skin prick testing is not generally available at primary care level in the UK.

Fred MacAulay: "I'm delighted to be involved in the launch of the mobile asthma and allergy screening unit. It's great to see something like this being introduced to detect asthma and allergies. The University of Dundee has again shown initiative and is, as always, ahead of the pack."

Allergies cause misery to patients and can often act as triggers to asthmatics, bringing on more severe symptoms like asthma attacks. The research group was established in 1997 and is led by Dr Brian Lipworth, Professor of Allergy and Respiratory Medicine. He said: "The mobile asthma and allergy screening unit is unique in the UK offering on the spot allergy testing to GPs' patients. It will initially be piloted in six Tayside practices with the hope of extending the service in the future. This will greatly improve allergy provision within the community without the need for hospital referral. University research will benefit as the mobile unit will increase the available population for clinical research on asthma and allergies."

Funding for the unit was raised through a local campaign initiated by the Asthma and Allergy group and supported by associations throughout Tayside.

Contact Callum Cockburn 0771 202 4764