Special Interest Matter - VIDA Medical & Allergy Clinic Launceston

Tuesday 26 May 2026

Mr President,

I think it would be safe to say that all of us have an allergy to something, or at least know someone who has. Common allergies, like allergic rhinitis - or hay fever - eczema and reactions to animal dander can usually be managed with over the counter medicines or a small changes to their environments.

But for some people, their allergies can have a huge effect on their quality of life, making treating and managing them so much more important. For people who experience this, having access to high-quality care and medical professionals who have a deep understanding of how allergies work and how to treat patients who are dealing with allergies, absolutely necessary.

Mr President, we are so lucky in Launceston to have just that. In April, I was delighted to attend the one-year anniversary of the VIDA Medical Clinic in Launceston.

VIDA proudly continues to build upon the long-standing legacy of the Rose Cottage Medical Centre in allergy and immunotherapy services, which served the Launceston community for over thirty years.

VIDA is under the co-ownership of Dr Divya Singh and Dr Preeti Deshpande, whose vision is a healthier, empowered community.

Dr Singh has a background in general pathology, which strengthens her understanding of the scientific basis of allergic disease and immunology. This is particularly apt as Dr Singh is also currently enrolled in the Graduate Certificate in Allergy Medicine at Western Sydney University and is a member of the Allergy Medicine Special Interest Group at the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.

Dr Deshpande is a highly experienced General Practitioner with a special interest in Allergy Medicine, and is also enrolled in the Graduate Certificate in Allergy Medicine at Western Sydney University. Additionally, Dr Deshpande is an active member of the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy.

Mr President, in addition to specialising in allergy and immunotherapy, VIDA Medical offers a full range of comprehensive General Practice Services, including the services of Gastric Surgeon Dr Kheman Rajkomar and Dr Michelle D’souza, with the support of Practice Manager Pia Bryan. They really do have it all.

At the heart of VIDA’s mission, is the vision of a community where every story is heard, every culture is respected and every patient walks away feeling stronger, healthier and cared for.

In the past year, the allergy testing done at VIDA has helped patients understand more about their allergies – and learned how they differ from intolerances – and have been able to access treatment which has been game-changing.

Dr Singh has stated that their whole purpose at VIDA is to “demystify allergies”. After all, the more informed a person is about their health, the more empowered they are to take control and manage it effectively.

Some VIDA patients who have had to miss out on things like work, school or hobbies are now able to access treatment and therapies to be able to live their lives more comfortably and with a better understanding of how to manage triggers and exposure to allergens. It is exactly these sorts of outcomes that Dr Singh and Dr Deshpande, and their whole team, strive for with each and every patient.

Mr President, as it happened, the anniversary of the opening of VIDA coincided with the discovery of a member of my own family having a serious allergic reaction.  My grandson Thomas had a severe reaction the previous evening after eating pecan pie and needed to be rushed to hospital.  Up until that time Thomas had never shown any allergic reactions and the family now carry an epi pen just to be safe.

 The testing and education process around that was very eye-opening, as was the importance of always being equipped with an epi-pen, and knowing how to use it properly. It really put in perspective for me, the idea that quality allergy treatment and management can not only be life-changing, but life-saving.

Congratulations to the team at VIDA Medical Clinic on their just-over-one-year anniversary.

Our community is extremely fortunate to have access to the services of this wonderful team, and I know how dedicated the whole team is to providing excellent service and care to all of their patients. Thank you.