Skincare patients told to ‘look elsewhere’

DERMATOLOGY services have collapsed in the Mid-West with patients being advised to “look elsewhere” for treatment.

The consultant in charge of the dermatology unit of the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick, Dr Bart Ramsay, said the service was no longer sustainable — with a waiting list extending back eight years.

Dr Ramsay informed GPs in the region that his department was ceasing to take new referrals.

He told doctors: “In summary, the new referrals list to dermatology is closed until management allocates adequate resources to this speciality. I strongly advise you, in the interest of patients’ safety, to refer your patients elsewhere.”

Only urgent cases such as patients with suspected invasive skin malignancy or acute skin failure will be dealt with, he said.

The Health Service Executive confirmed yesterday that GPs have been told to refer the most seriously ill patients for treatment.

A spokesman said: “The waiting list for dermatology has grown to current levels since the appointment of a consultant to the Mid-Western Area in 2001.

“Prior to this appointment dermatology patients were dealt with by GPs or by specialists outside the Mid-West area.

“Further resources for dermatology in the Mid-West have been prioritised under the next round of consultant appointments, which hopefully should advance as soon as contract negotiations are concluded with the medical unions. It is worth noting that a second consultant in dermatology is proposed in the 100-plus appointments announced by Professor Drumm in Limerick last year. In the meantime, it is appropriate that referrals from GPs should be confined to the most seriously ill patients.”

In a communication to medical colleagues, Dr Ramsay said: “Letters or consults referring patients outside of these criteria will be returned.”

He said the waiting list at the dermatology department was 2,300 patients.

“This is not sustainable from a patient safety and clinical governance perspective. Senior management were provided with two separate independent reports in November 2003 indicating what resources needed to be introduced to deliver the dermatology service. These have not been implemented.”