Yorkshire Laser Centre mobile photodynamic therapy unit: For service to district general hospitals

Summary 

A mobile laser unit, principally for the provision of photodynamic therapy (PDT) services to District General Hospitals was designed and put into operation by the Yorkshire Laser Centre (YLC). The concept grew out of observation that the majority of patients who could potentially benefit from PDT are investigated and hospitalised in their District General Hospital (GDH) and not easily transferred to or treated and followed up by a PDT centre. Therefore, a mobile PDT unit (MPDTU) could facilitate the availability of PDT to patients on their “home ground” where they have been investigated and selected. The treatment is carried out at the host hospital by the patient's own local medical team assisted by the YLC through the MPDTU.

Our MPDTU comprises of:

During the past 3 years our MPDTU has had 43 sorties to six different hospitals in the region for PDT covering a variety of specialities. There has not been any failure of the organisation or operational system.

Conclusions

The YLC model of MPDTU allows many more patients to benefit from this treatment who otherwise would be excluded from it because of lack of facilities and expertise locally at the patient's “home ground”.

Keywords: Mobile PDT unit, PDT service, PDT at District General Hospitals