Introduction

The Rainbow Clinic is the National centre for Paediatric Infectious Diseases/Immunology and for HIV related medicine in children. It has at its core an ethos of holistic multidisciplinary team care, based at a single centre but delivered nationally across institutions (maternity and paediatric) and in close liaison with adult infectious disease service partners. It operates in close contact with the clinical microbiology and infection control services.

The Rainbow Clinic Team has evolved to provide a National Service for Paediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology focusing major efforts on the prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV and management of children with infectious diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and TB. Its success is defined by low mother to child transmission rates of HIV infection, the enhanced quality of life and life expectancy of HIV positive children and the expert treatment of other infectious diseases and immunological conditions in children. The team also provides a comprehensive infectious disease consultation service for inpatients of the hospital and acts as a resource for paediatric units nationally.

The immunological service operated in partnership with the supra regional centre for Paediatric Immunology at Newcastle General Hospital provide a service for children with primary immunodeficiency disorders. e.g. chronic granulomatous disease, antibody deficiency, combined immunodeficiency, complement deficiency and auto immune disorders.

Dr Karina Butler is the Consultant Clinician who heads the multidisciplinary Infectious Disease/Immunology Service at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children. She is supported by a small skilled team that includes medical staff, specialist nurses, social worker, clinical pharmacist and dietetic, psychology and administrative personnel.