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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| NHS psoriasis care 'inconsistent' | NHS psoriasis care 'inconsistent' |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| Much NHS care for people with the skin condition psoriasis is seriously lacking, a report has said. | Much NHS care for people with the skin condition psoriasis is seriously lacking, a report has said. |
| The Royal College of Physicians and the British Association of Dermatologists surveyed 100 UK dermatology units. | The Royal College of Physicians and the British Association of Dermatologists surveyed 100 UK dermatology units. |
| It found wide variation in the quality of services, with a lack of specialist nurses, psychological support, washing facilities and access to new drugs. | It found wide variation in the quality of services, with a lack of specialist nurses, psychological support, washing facilities and access to new drugs. |
| The Department of Health said it was up to primary care trusts to choose local priorities for improving services. | The Department of Health said it was up to primary care trusts to choose local priorities for improving services. |
| Psoriasis causes skin cells to reproduce too quickly, leading to intensely itchy, flaky red patches. | Psoriasis causes skin cells to reproduce too quickly, leading to intensely itchy, flaky red patches. |
| The NHS is failing to provide patients with the level of care they deserve Dr Colin HoldenBritish Association of Dermatologists | The NHS is failing to provide patients with the level of care they deserve Dr Colin HoldenBritish Association of Dermatologists |
| Creams to treat psoriasis must be applied carefully, and any excess washed off to avoid damage to healthy skin. | Creams to treat psoriasis must be applied carefully, and any excess washed off to avoid damage to healthy skin. |
| But the survey found one in three units did not have adequate bathing and showering facilities for patients. | But the survey found one in three units did not have adequate bathing and showering facilities for patients. |
| And in 41% of units treatment was applied by nurses with no specialist training, or by the patients themselves. | And in 41% of units treatment was applied by nurses with no specialist training, or by the patients themselves. |
| One in five units had no nurses who specialised in dermatology at all. | One in five units had no nurses who specialised in dermatology at all. |
| Suicide risk | Suicide risk |
| The survey also found 60% of units had no clinical psychology services to help patients - despite research suggesting as many as one in 10 is so distressed by their condition that they consider suicide. | The survey also found 60% of units had no clinical psychology services to help patients - despite research suggesting as many as one in 10 is so distressed by their condition that they consider suicide. |
| Four out of 10 units also restricted the use of new generation biologic therapies - which target the cause of psoriasis, rather than just the symptoms - for financial reasons. | Four out of 10 units also restricted the use of new generation biologic therapies - which target the cause of psoriasis, rather than just the symptoms - for financial reasons. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY I have had psoriasis since I was 15 and have had GPs prescribe completely inappropriate treatmentAnna, ScotlandYour comments | HAVE YOUR SAY I have had psoriasis since I was 15 and have had GPs prescribe completely inappropriate treatmentAnna, ScotlandYour comments |
| On average, biologics cost about £10,000 a year - more than conventional treatments. | On average, biologics cost about £10,000 a year - more than conventional treatments. |
| Dr Colin Holden, president of the British Association of Dermatologists, said: "Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease which can have a huge physical and psychological impact, and as such patients require a high standard of care. | Dr Colin Holden, president of the British Association of Dermatologists, said: "Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease which can have a huge physical and psychological impact, and as such patients require a high standard of care. |
| "This audit has produced data clearly showing that on a national level, the NHS is failing to provide patients with the level of care they deserve." | "This audit has produced data clearly showing that on a national level, the NHS is failing to provide patients with the level of care they deserve." |
| David Chandler, of the Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance, said: "The report supports anecdotal evidence from those that contact us about the inconsistencies of treatment and facilities in the UK. | David Chandler, of the Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance, said: "The report supports anecdotal evidence from those that contact us about the inconsistencies of treatment and facilities in the UK. |
| "Living with a disease that affects you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year is depressing enough, but to then find out that if you lived in a different location you would get better care is just an added burden." | "Living with a disease that affects you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year is depressing enough, but to then find out that if you lived in a different location you would get better care is just an added burden." |
| A Department of Health spokeswoman said primary care trusts were responsible for determining local priorities. | A Department of Health spokeswoman said primary care trusts were responsible for determining local priorities. |
| She said the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence approved the use of three different types of biologic agents, which local trusts should follow. | She said the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence approved the use of three different types of biologic agents, which local trusts should follow. |