The College supports the findings and recommendations from the British Society for Immunology Clinical Immunology Professional Network’s (BSI-CIPN) immunology workforce report, “Moving towards a workforce equipped for the future”.  

The report provides a detailed overview of the variability in staffing of clinical immunology and allergy services across the UK, highlighting areas of critical strain – particularly in Scotland and Wales.  

Key findings

The analysis reveals that 15 services across the UK are operating with only 1 or 2 medical consultants; if a single consultant were to leave or become unwell, many patients would see disruption to the diagnosis and treatment of immunodeficiencies, allergies, autoimmune conditions and cancers of the immune system. 

Significantly, large scale consultant-to-population gaps has led to there being 1 consultant per 2.05 million people in Scotland and 1.06 million in Wales, leaving the specialty vulnerable to collapse. Our Clinical Immunology Workforce Report – released in September 2025 – estimates that at least 1 consultant immunologist is required per 451,000 population, leaving Scotland with a consultant shortfall of 83% and Wales with a consultant shortfall of 57%.  

The findings show persistent understaffing across clinical immunology and allergy services including consultants, healthcare scientists, nurses and support staff. These findings are supported by the College’s immunology report which found that immunology and allergy requests for tests are rising, on average, by 11% year-on-year, whilst the current consultant establishment is only increasing at a rate between 0%-2% each year. As the number and complexity of cases continues to rise, services have come under increased pressure, resulting in staff de-prioritising their professional development and relying on neighbouring services to cover excess demand.  

BSI reccomendations

Given the variance in staffing levels across localities and professional groups the BSI-CIPN has published a number of recommendations to reduce health inequalities, increase patient access and workforce wellbeing, and ensure that every region is adequately resourced.  

The BSI-CIPN report agreed with the College’s recommendation to establish 17 additional immunology training posts by 2027. The report also calls for:  

• Full-service review for clinical immunology and allergy within each of the four nations to establish clear plans for resourcing and investment.  
• Ensure ringfenced time for training and supervision across clinical, nursing, and scientific roles.  
• Improved data collection on service activity, workload, and outcomes.  
• Routine, longer-term workforce planning for clinical immunology and allergy.  
• Strengthened efforts to ensure regional and local commissioning organisations understand the value of clinical immunology and allergy services.   

The College supports the BSI-CIPN in its work to deliver its recommendations, recognising that the findings of this report are necessary to protect this small yet vital specialty from collapse, ensuring equal access to immunology and allergy care for patients across the UK.  

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Read the BSI-CIPN workforce report here. 

Read the College’s clinical immunology workforce report here.