About us
Dr. Lajeunesse is a paediatric allergist and immunologist with extensive experience managing food allergies, childhood asthma, eczema, and hay fever.
About our clinic
Dr. Lajeunesse is a paediatric allergist and immunologist with extensive experience managing food allergies, childhood asthma, eczema, and hay fever. We have a peanut desensitisation clinic and use allergen immunotherapy for hay fever and environmental allergies. The paediatric trained staff in clinic can see babies from the first few weeks of life, toddlers and school-children with a range of allergic diseases. We also see teens and young adults up to age 25 years.
The Revd. Dr Mich Erlewyn-Lajeunesse
Mich is a consultant in Paediatric Allergy and Immunology at Southampton Children’s Hospital, a World Allergy Organisation National Centre of Excellence.
He is an Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer at the University of Southampton, contributes to postgraduate teaching nationally and is involved in clinical research on food allergy and immunotherapy including the NATASHA study.
He is supported by NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre to undertake research into cow’s milk allergy in children.
In 2018 Mich established the BSACI Registry for Immunotherapy (BRIT), which he also leads.
Mich is a self-supporting minister in the Church of England. He was ordained in 2021 and is serving his curacy in the Winchester Diocese.
Dr Vas Balodima
Dr Balodima is a Consultant Paediatrician with a special interest in Children’s Allergy. She currently works as a Locum Paediatric Consultant at Whittington NHS Trust in London.
She completed her medical degree in Greece and then moved to UK to start her Paediatric Training. She trained in London, Wales and Wessex. She was awarded membership of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health in 2015. In 2022 she completed the Paediatric and Child Health MSc at Imperial College, London with a dissertation on access to allergen immunotherapy in the UK.
She has been actively involved in food allergy research and worked as a Research Fellow in Southampton Children’s Hospital for the Natasha food immunotherapy study between 2022 and 24. She is a member of the British Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
She can diagnose and treat a wide range of allergic conditions, including food allergies in babies and children, eczema, urticaria, asthma, rhinitis, hay fever, and medication allergies. She has excellent experience and training all areas of paediatric allergy.
Jo Vernazza RSCN
Jo is an experienced paediatric nurse. She has been practising for 27 years, 17 of those looking after children with allergies, in London and more recently in Southampton.
She joined the Paediatric Allergy team at University Hospitals Southampton two years ago. She manages our sublingual immunotherapy service both in Private Practice and at Southampton Children’s Hospital. She is involved in our peanut immunotherapy clinic. Jo is deepening her understating of children’s allergies by studying on the Southampton Allergy MSc programme.
Lindsay Brown
I’m a paediatric allergy nurse specialist. I worked as a member of the paediatric allergy team at Southampton NHS trust for 15 years and have recently retired.
I now use my knowledge, skill and passion for helping children and young people with allergies to work a few shifts a month with my old team at Southampton hospital as well as work here at the Spire.
I also work one Saturday a month with the team delivering private peanut immunotherapy at Southampton hospital. It’s exciting to see young people and their families’ lives changing as a result of treatment.
Hopefully this area of allergy care will expand rapidly. Having allergies can be challenging for the child or young person and their families, and I continue to find helping families navigating these challenges very rewarding.
Sam Packham
I’m an experienced clinical administrator, working in Southampton Children’s Hospital since 1990. I joined Allergy Healthcare in 2018 and currently manage the private children’s allergy clinic.
My focus is on streamlining operations, improving patient care, and ensuring the clinic runs smoothly day-to-day. I’m passionate about creating a supportive environment for both patients and staff, and I work hard to make sure every aspect of the practice meets high standards of quality and efficiency.
Conditions we treat
We provide comprehensive care for a wide range of allergic and immunological conditions
Asthma
Asthma in children can range from persistent coughing to severe attacks. Our clinic can help navigate these concerns with lung function tests, inflammatory gas measurements, and tailored treatment plans.
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Eczema
We provide testing and practical advice to help manage symptoms, like environmental changes and tailored skincare strategies, to improve your child’s quality of life.
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Food allergies
Food allergies can range from mild to severe. Identifying what your child is allergic to is crucial for avoiding triggers and preventing future reactions.
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Hay Fever
Hay fever can impact sleep, concentration, and general well-being. We offer desensitisation immunotherapy, a long-term solution to reduce symptoms by gradually increasing exposure to allergens like pollen.
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Need advice and can’t get to your GP?
You don’t need a GP referral, contact us directly.
Contact us
If you would like to contact us please fill in the contact form below and we will respond back to you very shortly.
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Where to find us
Outpatient Clinic
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Spire Southampton Hospital Chalybeate Close
Hampshire SO16 6UY - Opening Times Mon & Thurs mornings
The Peanut immunotherapy Clinic
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Southampton General Hospital Tremona Road
Hampshire SO16 6YD - Opening Times - Saturday mornings
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What our clients say
The treatment provided was first class and every single staff member was so helpful and kind to both our daughter and ourselves throughout every stage of the treatment, Our daughter has completed her treatment and is now consuming two M&Ms daily which has completely transformed her life and ours. I only hope more parents avail of this treatment that can completely change a child’s life, I cannot speak highly enough of all the team members at Allergy Healthcare.
Nigel
Communication, knowledge, experience of the team and responsiveness. 10 on all levels for our experience and we now feel our daughter has the tools to navigate her way through life when she leaves our supervision.
Sam
The care and expertise at allergy healthcare was excellent. I cannot recommend them enough. Throughout my daughters treatment they were supportive and encouraging going above and beyond to support us.
Helen
Dr Mich is fantastic! Great with my son and explained everything about his condition in detail. He is extremely knowledgeable and put us all at ease. Highly recommended.
Sophie
Mich, Helen and the team were excellent in my son’s Palforzia journey. They were competent, thorough and considered throughout. Their knowledgable confidence rubbed off on my allergic son and we felt safe and supported. We felt welcome and cared for.
Suzy
Frequently asked questions
Have any questions? Visit our FAQ section for answers to common queries.
Who leads the clinic?
Our clinic is led by Dr. Mich Erlewyn-Lajeunesse, a Consultant Paediatric Allergist and Immunologist with extensive experience in diagnosing and managing a wide range of allergies. Dr. Lajeunesse is dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based care to families.
What makes your clinic different from others?
We pride ourselves on a patient-focused approach, offering tailored care for both children and adults. Unlike many clinics, we offer weekend appointments for treatments like peanut immunotherapy, making our services accessible to families with busy schedules.
What is your approach to managing allergies?
We take a holistic approach to allergy care, combining accurate diagnosis with personalised treatment plans. Our team works closely with families to ensure they feel empowered and confident in managing their allergies.
Are you involved in allergy research?
Yes, our clinic is research-active and contributes to advancing allergy care. We have been involved in clinical trials for cutting-edge treatments, including peanut immunotherapy, and continue to participate in research to improve outcomes for patients.
Do you offer services for both adults and children?
Yes, we treat individuals of all ages, from infants over 3 months to adults. Whether it’s food allergies, eczema, asthma, or environmental triggers, our clinic provides comprehensive care tailored to every stage of life.
How did we do?
We welcome all feedback that helps us to improve our services and provide the highest standards of care and treatment.
