Dermatology information : a site for skin knowledge
About the department
The National Health Service () began in 1948 and this was also the start of dermatology, or the practice of dealing with skin diseases, in Lancaster. Although dermatology is now a separate speciality within medicine, this was not always so. Skin diseases have been recognised for a long time, indeed leprosy was known about in ancient times, and so too were a number of skin conditions. However, it is only more recently that the causes of many skin problems have been understood and now we have a wide range of treatments available.
The real classification of skin problems began in the 18th Century, but in early 19th century, Robert Willan, whose family came from near Sedbergh, wrote and illustrated one of the earliest textbooks in English on dermatology.
Although skin problems in Lancaster had been dealt with prior to 1948, it was the introduction of the that enabled skin diseases to be dealt with in more co-ordinated manner in Lancaster. In 1953, the first Consultant Dermatologist in Lancaster, started work and soon designated dermatology beds were available and a skin unit was formed at Beaumont Hospital, Lancaster.
Developments came with different treatments, and soon facilities such as UV light, and a minor operating theatre were part of dermatology.
A replacement Consultant Dermatologist was appointed in 1980 and closure of Beaumont Hospital in 1990, led to the relocation of the Dermatology Unit at the Queen Victoria Hospital, Morecambe. This enabled the co-ordination of the service with combined in-patient and outpatient units and development of the day case treatments.
The inclusion of dermatology in the local general practitoner training scheme has meant that to present 40 senior house officer doctors have been attached to the unit, many of whom have gone on to become general practitioners, and some of these have also maintained experience in dermatology by becoming clinical assistant doctors.
Developments in the service have included a registrar doctor rotation with Manchster from 1996, and various research links including the University of Lancaster, and the University College of St. Martins.
Dermatology outpatient facilities were enhanced in Kendal with the opening of Westmorland General Hospital, and outpatients facilities have also continued at Furness General Hospital, Barrow.
Plans were developed in 1995 to move the dermatology department ot the Royal Lancaster Infirmary site. It was decided to design a purpose built department above the new medical outpatients.
Another Consultant retirement in 1997 led to a further consultant appointment, and now the two consultants equally cover the three hospital sites, Lancaster, Kendal and Barrow. Dermatology is now a Morecambe Bay speciality, covering approximately a population of 350,000 people.
The new department, opened in 1998, has 12 beds, enhanced integral outpatient facilities, UV light treatment, minor operating and day case facilitise. Dedicated dermatology nurses, an important aspect of skin management, enables the treatment of a wide variety of skin problems.
The National Health Service () began in 1948 and this was also the start of dermatology, or the practice of dealing with skin diseases, in Lancaster. Although dermatology is now a separate speciality within medicine, this was not always so. Skin diseases have been recognised for a long time, indeed leprosy was known about in ancient times, and so too were a number of skin conditions. However, it is only more recently that the causes of many skin problems have been understood and now we have a wide range of treatments available.
Although skin problems in Lancaster had been dealt with prior to 1948, it was the introduction of the that enabled skin diseases to be dealt with in more co-ordinated manner in Lancaster. In 1953, the first Consultant Dermatologist in Lancaster, started work and soon designated dermatology beds were available and a skin unit was formed at Beaumont Hospital, Lancaster.
The inclusion of dermatology in the local general practitoner training scheme has meant that to present 40 senior house officer doctors have been attached to the unit, many of whom have gone on to become general practitioners, and some of these have also maintained experience in dermatology by becoming clinical assistant doctors.
Another Consultant retirement in 1997 led to a further consultant appointment, and now the two consultants equally cover the three hospital sites, Lancaster, Kendal and Barrow. Dermatology is now a Morecambe Bay speciality, covering approximately a population of 350,000 people.
