TUESDAY, 29 SEPTEMBER, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE. PHOTO ATTACHED OF DR SALLY IBBOTSON (CENTRE WITH CERTIFICATE) WITH THE PDT TEAM AT NINEWELLS AND INVITED GUESTS

Centre of Excellence award for NHS Tayside Photobiology Unit

NHS Tayside’s Photobiology Unit has been accredited as the first UK Centre of Excellence by the European Society for Photodynamic Therapy in Dermatology (EURO-PDT).

Dr Sally Ibbotson, Clinical Senior Lecturer in Photobiology and Honorary Consultant dermatologist at the Photobiology Unit and Dermatology Department has also been accredited as a EURO-PDT specialist.

Dr Ibbotson was presented with certificates by Professor Lasse Braathen, President of the EURO-PDT Board at a ceremony also attended by Doug Cross, NHS Tayside Vice Chair and Lorna Wiggin, NHS Tayside Director of Acute Services.

Professor Braathen said, “The Photobiology Unit and the team at Ninewells are absolutely world class in the services and facilities they offer and their subject knowledge, so it is a pleasure to present these awards today to recognise their achievements.

On receiving the awards, Dr Ibbotson said, “Our photodynamic therapy (PDT) team is delighted to receive this accreditation as it is a real honour to be the first EURO-PDT Centre of Excellence in the UK.

“We hope that this will enable us to widely disseminate our experience and expertise in PDT through research, training and educational events and to focus on the provision of the highest possible quality of care for our patients.”

In order to achieve the EURO-PDT Centre of Excellence accreditation, the Unit was audited by EURO-PDT and a site inspection was carried out by Professor Braathen. The inspection established that the service was meeting the highest possible standards in PDT clinical practice, training, education and research and was undertaking the highest quality of evidence-based PDT treatment for patients with dermatological conditions.

The Photobiology Unit, based at Ninewells Hospital, also coordinates and leads the Scottish PDT Centre, for which Dr Ibbotson is the Clinical Director. This offers a PDT service for patients with a range of malignancies, not just of the skin.

The Photobiology Unit also offers the National Service to patients from across Scotland for the investigation and management of abnormal sunlight sensitivity. The unit is actively involved in the introduction of new developments in light-based treatments of national and international importance and has its own laboratory for patient investigations and cutting edge research.

Contact:

Gaynyr Dickson

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 424138