MUSGROVE Park Hospital's Dermatology Unit is under threat as the hospital struggles to recruit new consultants.

As a result it has emerged this week that the department will not be accepting any new referrals, of any type, from November 1.

Medical director at Musgrove, Stuart Walker, said: “Due to a longstanding national shortage of dermatologists we have struggled to recruit to vacant dermatology positions over the last couple of years.

“This means that we have only been able to accept urgent, and possible cancer, referrals since December 2014. We have managed to run that service since then, but unfortunately we now have further vacancies that we cannot fill.

"Our most recent advertisement did not yielded any applications, and nor have we been able to recruit sufficient locum cover.

“As a result of this, from 1 November, we will not be accepting new referrals, of any type, to the dermatology service.

“We are working with the commissioners, Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group, and neighbouring providers to find a long-term solution for dermatology services for the population of Somerset.

“I want to personally reassure all patients currently using our dermatology service at Musgrove that they will get the continued, high quality treatment they need.

"The vast majority of patients will complete their care at Musgrove in the coming months. For those patients with longer term needs, we will be in touch with you in the near future to discuss your ongoing care.”

This means new patients requiring treating for skin diseases such as eczema, psoriasis and skin cancer will be referred to either Yeovil or Bristol for treatment from the beginning of next month.