Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
UK sunshine sufficient for medicinal purposes
THE great British weather is among the nation’s favourite subjects of debate and is generally concerned with a perceived lack of sun.
But it turns out, according to a study led by Dundee University, that whatever sunshine we do get is enough to act as an effective medical treatment.
Daylight Photodynamic Treatment (dPDT) is a technique is increasingly being used in countries across Europe and in Australia.
During treatment, patients wear sunscreen to protect themselves from harmful ultraviolet rays.
A light-sensitive cream, which is absorbed by diseased tissue, is applied and the skin is then exposed to daylight for at least two hours.
This combination both protects the healthy skin and treats the diseased tissue.
Lead researcher Dr Paul O’Mahoney, of Dundee University’s School of Medicine, said: “Daylight PDT is being increasingly undertaken elsewhere but its use has lagged behind here in the UK.
“This is understandable, as there are concerns about the use of a treatment in the country which relies heavily on the weather.
“Confidence in the use of effective light delivery is required.” and my body couldn’t cope with the shifts. I haven’t been to the hospital since I stopped working there.
“I repeatedly asked them to change shifts. I begged them for help. I was in tears asking them to change shifts but they wouldn’t let me.”
She added: “I was traumatised by what happened, being so badly treated. I ended up at the doctor’s with anxiety worrying that I’d never get a job again. But I’m just so relieved that the panel saw the truth. It was never about the money, it was about the principle.
“It’s disgusting how they treat people and the UK Government needs to seriously look at what they’re doing to people in there.”
In 2013, Broughty Ferry resident Sara Pryde won £11,570 after also being sacked by HMRC over absence caused by illness.
Meanwhile, Rebecca Smith from Menzieshill received more than £9,000 after a panel ruled she had lost her job after being discriminated against because she was suffering from depression.
Unions have also repeatedly expressed concerns in recent years over the treatment of disabled staff at HMRC offices in Dundee.
Solicitor Ryan Russell, of Muir Myles Laverty — who represented Ms Doran — said the treatment his client faced was “totally unacceptable”. He said: “HMRC is one of the
Now, Dr O’Mahoney and colleagues have found that even in the most northerly parts of the UK, and far outwith the summer months, dPDT is a viable option.
Their work has arisen from a study focused on actinic keratoses (AK), precancerous lesions that appear as dry, scaly patches of skin and are caused by damage from chronic sun exposure.
In the UK, it is often treated through Photodynamic Therapy (PDT), where artificial light is shone on to the affected area of skin after a light-activated cream has been applied to kill the abnormal cells. largest employers in the UK and it is totally unacceptable in my view they could not afford Alison a set working pattern.
“Alison was failed badly. The terms of the judgment are quite damning.
“This is yet another case involving HMRC in Dundee discriminating against its own employees.
“HMRC has many policies in place to support disabled jobholders but they were not followed properly in this case.”
Type 1 diabetes falls under the definition of a disability under the Equality Act 2010.
Gavin Thomson, policy and campaigns manager at Diabetes UK, said: “Diabetes is very misunderstood — there’s a stigma surrounding it. If employers support their employees who have diabetes then they can get better control of their illness and perform better at work.”
The Dundee branch of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) has hit out in the past over the treatment of disabled workers at Sidlaw House.
Ewan Craig, the former PCS health and safety representative, previously claimed disabled people were being targeted because they often take more time off sick than their colleagues.
A spokesman for the HMRC said: “We are committed to treating all our staff fairly and with consideration at all times. We are carefully considering the tribunal’s judgement.”