New equipment boost for rural Perthshire health care provision

Patients across rural Perthshire have welcomed the local introduction of specialist equipment.

Newly installed specialist UVB (Ultraviolet B) phototherapy equipment has been officially unveiled at an event in Crieff Community Hospital.

The new UVB units have been installed in Crieff Community Hospital and Pitlochry Community Hospital to provide care services for patients closer to their own homes.

The UVB units use special wavelengths of light to treat many different skin conditions, including psoriasis and eczema.

The equipment can also be used for desensitising people with light sensitive conditions.

Staff from NHS Tayside’s dermatology unit and teams within community hospitals in Perth and Kinross worked in partnership with the Friends of Aberfeldy Community Hospital, Pitlochry Community Hospital and Crieff Community Hospital to develop the new phototherapy service for rural Perthshire.

The new facilities will improve access for patients who no longer have to travel to Perth Royal Infirmary for the specialist treatment.

Staff and community members involved in the project visited Crieff Community Hospital to mark the introduction of the new service.

NHS Tayside consultant dermatologist Dr Colin Fleming said: “We are committed to providing the best care possible for our patients.

“This equipment will allow us to provide regular and effective specialised treatment much closer to home for people living in rural Perthshire.

“We are very grateful to the Friends of the community hospitals in Aberfeldy, Pitlochry and Crieff for working in partnership with NHS Tayside to help set up this service for our patients.

“Their support has been invaluable.”