Patients suffering from skin complaints will soon be treated in a £1.7million dermatology centre at Basildon Hospial.
The two-storey unit, to be built at the hospital, in Nethermayne, will provide services for patients from across south Essex.
Funding for the project, being undertaken by Basildon and Thurrock General Hospitals NHS Trust, came from a Government grant.
The new unit is expected to be completed by 2004.
A spokesman for Basildon Hospital said: "It will include facilities for outpatient consultation, diagnosis and treatment of patients with dermatological conditions.
"It will bring all the facilities for dermatology together in one purpose- designed unit and will help to allow the clinical professionals involved in treating dermatology patients to work more closely together."
Staff will treat patients suffering from ailments as wide ranging as eczema to life-threatening skin cancer. Minor surgical procedures will also be carried out.
Dr Michael Catterall, clinical director for outpatient services and consultant dermatologist, added: "This is more money than I have ever seen allocated to dermatology during my 28-year career in the speciality."
Published Monday, June 2, 2003
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