Table 1 Characteristics of the patients referred (n = 100)

Mean age (median, range)/years

35.7 (33, 17 to 70)

Female

77 %

Primary reason for referral given in GP letter

 Diagnosis

31 %

 Management advice

27 %

 Test/investigation

42 %

Presenting clinical problem

 Food allergy

32 %

  Nut allergy

17

  Other food suspected

15

 Angioedema

22 %

 Urticaria

14 %

 Asthma

10 %

 Rhinitis

8 %

 Drug allergy

4 %

 Anaphylaxis

4 %

 Other^a

6 %

Tests and investigations performed in out-patient consultation^b

 SPT

57

 Serum specific IgE

25

 Other blood tests

26

 Imaging

4

 No tests

12

Degree of urgency

 Urgent

3 %

 Soon

3 %

 Routine

92 %