Campbeltown Hospital has reintroduced a phototherapy service, improving access to treatment for patients with skin conditions such as psoriasis and reducing the need for travel out of the area.
The service is now being delivered from the hospital’s X-ray department. A new phototherapy cabinet was fitted earlier this year following the department’s move to a larger clinical space.
A dedicated team of radiography and nursing staff has completed national Photonet training, alongside additional practical training provided by specialist dermatology teams at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness and Gartnavel General Hospital in Glasgow. Patients began receiving care and treatment in early March.
Appointments are offered three mornings a week, between approximately 8.15am and 9.15am, a schedule designed to support patients who are working or in education. Treatment is delivered following referral from dermatology outpatient clinics and can involve an eight‑week course of Ultraviolet (UV) light therapy.
The UVB Phototherapy (Ultraviolet Light Therapy), is a specialised dermatological treatment for skin conditions.
Purpose: It is used to treat skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, and vitiligo by exposing the skin to specific wavelengths of ultraviolet (UV) light.
Mechanism: It works by reducing inflammation in the skin and slowing the rapid growth of skin cells.
Procedure: Patients stand in a specially designed walk-in cabinet, similar to a sunbed but containing fluorescent tubes that deliver precise, medically supervised Narrowband UVB light.
The team is currently working through the waiting list to reduce waiting times over the coming months, so patients can begin treatment closer to their referral date.
Gillian Neal, Adult Services Manager (Health and Community Care for Argyll and Bute HCSP, said: "This is a really positive development for patients in the Campbeltown area. Restarting the phototherapy service locally means people can access specialist treatment much closer to home, reducing travel and disruption to daily life. This has only been possible due to the commitment of staff who have undertaken additional training and worked collaboratively across services to make this happen.”
The relaunch of the service represents a significant benefit for the local community, supporting access to effective treatment while offering an alternative to longer‑term treatment options.