Patients with skin problems can now benefit from a new state-of-the-art treatment centre at St Luke’s Hospital, Bradford.

The dermatology (photo therapy) day care unit, which has £50,000 of new equipment, was created to house five ultraviolet machines – two of which were purchased by the Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the Friends of St Luke’s group.

Four treatment rooms have been added as part of the improvements and the rooms housing the new machines have been redesigned and upgraded.

Consultant dermatologist at St Luke’s Hospital, Dr Andrew Wright, said: “The number of patients we have been treating has gradually increased over the years and our old treatment facility became cramped and our machines over-worked. It is therefore a huge development in our service to be able not only to acquire two innovative UVB machines, but also to move to a new dedicated, technically-advanced, ultraviolet light treatment facility.

“We are very grateful to the Friends of St Luke’s who funded one of the machines and to the Foundation Trust for the other, as well as having invested in our new, revamped unit.

“Staff are delighted to be working in new modern facilities with enhanced equipment which will greatly benefit the care of patients with skin problems in Bradford and beyond.”

Ultraviolet light treatments for patients are delivered in two ways – UVB machines treat the body, while UVA machines can also treat the hands and feet. The treatments are used widely on patients with skin problems including psoriasis and eczema, and other, less common conditions.

  • Read the full story in Thursday's T&A