Launceston Allergy Clinic

Dr Sharon Fitzpatrick is now offering allergy services at the Launceston Allergy Clinic, providing diagnosis and management of allergy and atopic conditions for both adults and children. She has worked in allergy medicine in the Launceston region since 2021, including roles at Rose Cottage and the Launceston General Hospital Paediatric Outpatient Department. Dr Fitzpatrick is a GP with a special interest in paediatrics.

Our Services:

  • Skin Prick Testing
  • Food Allergy Assessment and Management
  • Hay Fever and Airborne Allergies
  • Penicillin Allergy Delabelling
  • Eczema Management
  • Immunotherapy (Desensitisation)

Appointments:

To book an appointment at the Allergy Clinic, you will need a referral from your GP.
The initial consultation is a one hour session with the allergy doctor. During this consultation you may have skin prick testing done if it is deemed to be relevant to your suspected allergy. Depending on the nature of your concerns and complexity of the case, you may require review appointments or be sent for blood tests/other investigations.

Fees:

Appointment Type             Full Fee       Medicare Rebate     Out of Pocket
1 Hour Appointment          $442.65      $202.65                        $240.00
40 Minute Appointment    $285.10      $125.10                        $160.00
20 Minute Appointment    $184.90      $84.90                          $100.00

Please note:

The doctor will determine the required appointment length upon receiving your referral.
Fees include the consultation and any skin prick testing that may be required. Additional fees will apply if immunotherapy is recommended.

To secure your appointment, a $100 deposit is required at the time of booking. Appointments cannot be confirmed without payment of the deposit. The deposit is non-refundable if the appointment is cancelled within 24 hours or in the event of non-attendance.

Review appointments will follow our standard billing structure.

Allergy Testing

Your allergy doctor will determine if any testing is required.

Tests may include Skin Prick Testing (SPT), or you may be referred for blood tests to identify allergens for further management recommendations.

Before skin prick testing

If SPT is needed (commonly for hay fever, animal allergy and some food allergies – not usually for eczema), please note the following:

  • Stop antihistamines (eg Zyrtec, claratyne, phenergan, telfast, dimetapp, benadryl, demazin) at least seven days prior to your appointment. If you are unsure if your medication is an antihistamine please check with your pharmacist or doctor.
  • Continue with eczema creams, nasal steroid spray and asthma medication if you require these medications

Please also note that SPT cannot be done until at least 6 weeks after anaphylaxis or Epipen use.

  • SPT is done on the back or the forearm using allergen drops and a sterile pricking device. A mosquito-like lump appears within 15 minutes if positive and subsides within 1-2 hours. If itching or swelling is severe it can be treated with antihistamines, steroid cream and cold packs.
  • The test itself does not hurt, but does involve a tiny little scratch/pressure. It is very low risk of serious side effects.
  • Results are available within 20 minutes and will be discussed in the same appointment. Blood tests usually take a few weeks to return and will need a follow-up appointment to review.
  • Our SPT use follows guidelines as laid out by ASCIA, however it is important to note that not all extracts are TGA approved.

  • SPT helps with the diagnosis or monitoring of IgE reactions (ie immediate reactions to foods or environmental allergens for conditions such as hay fever or asthma and latex allergy).
  • It is NOT useful for non-IgE mediated reactions (ie delayed reactions such as diarrhoea, mucousy stools, slow growth or non-IgE allergy such as eczema).
  • For asthma/hay fever, testing may including dust mites, pet dander, moulds and pollens.
  • Preservative/additive allergies or intolerances cannot be tested for.
  • Reactions to insect stings or bites cannot be tested in our clinic via SPT – you will be referred for a blood test for these.
  • Medication based allergies are also not tested via SPT in our clinic.