St Luke’s General Hospital achieves international recognition for excellence in children’s allergy care

The Paediatric Allergy Clinic at St Luke's General Hospital, Kilkenny, has received prestigious international recognition after being designated an Anaphylaxis Centre of Reference and Excellence (ANACARE) by the Global Allergy and Asthma Excellence Network (GA²LEN), following an independent external assessment.

This makes St Luke’s the first centre in Ireland to achieve this specific dual ANACARE and ADCARE status, marking a significant achievement for St Luke’s General Hospital and HSE Dublin and South East. It means that children in Carlow and Kilkenny with serious allergic conditions are receiving specialist care that meet international standards, reflecting the aims of Sláintecare, the national programme reform programme, which is focused on delivering the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

GA²LEN is an international network of leading allergy and asthma centres based in Berlin, Germany. Its accreditations are awarded following a rigorous independent review process that assesses clinical standards, patient care, service delivery, education and research activity.

Commenting on the recognition, Niamh Lacey, General Manager, St Luke’s General Hospital, Carlow Kilkenny, said: “This international accreditation is a tribute to the skill and dedication of our Paediatric Allergy team. It shows what Sláintecare means in practice: children and families in Carlow and Kilkenny receiving care of the highest standard close to home. We are proud of this achievement and will continue to work with HSE Dublin and South East to sustain and develop services that bring care closer to patients.”

Dr Shahzad Ahmed, Senior Paediatric Registrar, St Luke’s General Hospital, said: "This accreditation is an important validation of the work being undertaken by the team at St Luke's General Hospital to provide high-quality specialist allergy care for children and young people in Carlow and Kilkenny. It reflects the commitment of our staff to improving outcomes for patients and supporting families living with complex allergic conditions.

Laura Dalton, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Paediatric Allergy & Gastroenterology, St Luke’s General Hospital, Kilkenny, added: “Accreditation by GA²LEN follows a detailed, independent audit of every aspect of our care. It is recognition for the whole multidisciplinary team, and for the families who work alongside us.”

The accreditation places St Luke's General Hospital among a network of internationally recognised centres committed to advancing excellence in allergy care, education and research.

It also builds on a record of innovation at St Luke’s General Hospital, Kilkenny. In 2022, the Paediatric Allergy team established Ireland’s first Allergy Immunotherapy Clinic for children with severe peanut, tree nut and seed allergies, through its START PEANUTS programme, a specialised immunotherapy delivered locally.