The future of dermatology services on the Isle of Wight is secure, NHS bosses have confirmed to Island Echo, after fears emerged that services could be moving to Portsmouth. For the past 8 years, The Lighthouse Clinic on Crocker Street has provided consultant-led dermatology services on behalf of the Isle of Wight NHS Trust, gaining several accolades along the way. However, in recent weeks patients have been struggling to make new appointments to be seen. Rumours have grown that the majority of services were being transferred to Portsmouth, leading to fears that patients would soon have to travel across the Solent for consultations and treatment. Those concerns have now been alleviated by Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust (PHU), which has confirmed that The Lighthouse Clinic will continue to treat Islanders from their Newport base. Although PHU is now responsible for the services, a subcontract between the NHS and Lighthouse Medical Ltd. has been signed to continue the delivery of dermatology services locally.
Natalie Borman, Divisional Director for Networked Services at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust (PHU), has told Island Echo:
“We are delighted to confirm that PHU has signed a subcontract with Lighthouse Medical Ltd to continue the delivery of dermatology services on the Isle of Wight.
Article continues below this advertisement “We have been working closely with Lighthouse Medical Ltd to ensure the service will continue to operate from the same locations and by the same staff that have been caring for patients on the Isle of Wight since 2016.
“We apologise for any disruption that patients have faced during this transition and are contacting anyone we are aware of who may have been affected. We want to assure everyone that dermatology services are remaining on the Isle of Wight and GPs and patients will be able to book appointments in the same way as before.
“We are delighted by the partnership and are both looking forward to working together for the people of the Isle of Wight.”
A petition has been launched in a bid to save The Lighthouse Clinic, but that now seems null and void given this evening’s news.
