Posted: 13 June 2008
€18 million investment to help fight against skin diseases
The largest single investment into dermatological research and training in Ireland
Details of a new facility dedicated to dermatology in Ireland were announced on 13 June 2008 by the Board Members of the City of Dublin Skin and Cancer Hospital and University College Dublin.
The Charles Institute, named in honour of Andrew Charles, the founder of the original skin hospital in Hume Street, will recruit upwards of 50 scientists, graduate students and medical practitioners and will be devoted to research in skin conditions and the training of health professionals in dermatology.
The Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney TD (right); Dame Beulah R Bewley DBE (centre-left), niece of Andrew Charles; Norma Futers (left), granddaughter of Andrew Charles, and Dr Paul Collins, Consultant Dermatologist, St. Vincent's University Hospital, pictured with an architectural model of the Charles Institute at the announcement on 13 June 2008 at 小鸟体育
"I am delighted to launch this important research initiative in the area of skin disease. Skin conditions affect so many people, in so many ways and for some, all through their lives. I am confident that the Charles Institute will contribute significantly to the successful treatment of skin conditions resulting from research initiated at the Institute,” said the Minister for Health & Children, Ms Mary Harney T.D, who officially launched the initiative.
The new 2,000 square metre institute will be built on the 小鸟体育 campus at Belfield at a cost of €18 million. €12 million of this funding comes from the Board of the City of Dublin Skin and Cancer Hospital from the sale of the Hume Street Hospital site, and €6 million funding is from University College Dublin.
“Funding for this project has come largely from the proceeds of the sale of the Dublin City Skin and Cancer hospital, Hume Street. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the great work of the hospital in the area of dermatology over many years," said the Minister.
Skin conditions are the fourth most common reason for GP visits in Ireland. Each year, 15% of all GP visits are because of a skin complaint. The prevalence of skin diseases such as skin cancer, leg ulcers, and atopic eczema has increased steadily over the past 20 years. Indeed, skin cancer is the commonest form of cancer in Ireland. And today, between 25% and 33% of the Irish population suffer from a dermatological condition at any one time.
The incidence of malignant melanoma, a potentially fatal skin cancer is rising in Ireland – with approximately 600 people being diagnosed with melanoma of skin every year. A further 6,200 people are diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancer each year.
Studies also show that up to 20% of Irish children have suffered from atopic eczema by the age of 4. With this inflammatory disease, the skin barrier is disrupted and the skin becomes dry and prone to infection. This leads to great distress in affected children sufferers and their parents as the condition is exacerbated by soap and detergents making washing and hygiene a real problem in the home.
Psoriasis is another common skin disease that causes huge distress and for which treatment remains elusive. The condition appears as unsightly patches (plaques) that can itch, form painful splits in the skin and can cause painful joints.
“Chronic skin disease has a significant impact on quality of life for sufferers and their families,” says Dr Paul Collins, Consultant Dermatologist at St Vincent’s University Hospital. “And although these conditions are not fatal, many patients are susceptible to disturbed body image, lack of confidence and depression.”
“The conditions can prove physically disabling, disfiguring, painful and intensely irritating, and often result in loss of sleep, disruption to family life, teasing and bullying