Phototherapy unit for Dermatology (FOI)

​​Request

Please can you advise on the following;.

A

The date the Phototherapy unit for Dermatology patients has been unavailable.

B

If it is staffing issues or equipment issues.

C

When the service will be available for patients.

Response

A

The phototherapy service was first suspended in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown measures that were implemented.

B

There are both staffing and equipment matters to be addressed before the service can be reinstated.

Nursing staff trained in delivery of phototherapy require competency revalidation, following four years of non-utilisation of this skill.  Newly recruited staff must develop core competencies prior to commencement of any phototherapy training.

​Equipment for whole body TLO1 (narrowband UVB), and PUVA (Psoralen sensitised UVA), requires replacement.  A business case for equipment has been completed, and an application for Capital replacement funds will be made in the next financial period.

C

Timescales for this depend on financial approval for equipment replacement, as well as a supervised practice period for nursing competency development.​