PATIENTS in Scarborough who suffer from skin conditions are to benefit from a new dermatology service which is being launched in the town this month.

The service, which is being run by Scarborough Whitby and Ryedale Primary Care Trust (PCT), will initially be open to patients registered with practices in the centre of Scarborough.

But if it proves successful it could be expanded to include the rest of the PCT area.

The service will be run by two GP specialists, Dr David Knowelden, of Claremont Surgery, and Dr Malcolm Abrines, of Dances Dyke Surgery - both of whom have worked for over seven years as clinical assistants in dermatology at Scarborough Hospital.

There will be two sessions a month at each surgery, dealing with routine skin problems such as eczema and psoriasis.

Dr Abrines said: "GP specialist work in dermatology has already proved successful in other parts of the country, and our service will run in very close contact with the lead consultant at Scarborough Hospital.

"The service will initially be open to all those patients registered with practices in the centre of Scarborough, but once this has proved successful we intend to spread this to the rest of our region.

"We see this as another step in the PCT's aim to allow patients to be seen quicker and more locally without the need to go to hospital each time."

Updated: 09:52 Friday, January 24, 2003