Scottish care home uses pioneering light therapy to treat skin conditions

A care home in Scotland has successfully trialled light therapy to treat residents with skin conditions and now plans to use it on a permanent basis.

Marchglen Care Centre in Clackmannshire has been using light therapy to treat a range of conditions including pressure ulcers.

Resident Andrew Clark has been suffering from a persistent ulcer for over a year, and found that after three months of light therapy it has almost completely healed.

NHS Forth Valley consultant in neurological rehabilitation, Dr Robert Prempeh, said: “Many people in Marchglen spend much of their lives in bed, leaving them particularly vulnerable to ulcers. These can be very debilitating as well as significantly increasing the cost of their care. This new technique has been proved to work in reducing the healing time.”

The light therapy system emits light that is similar to the part of the electromagnetic system produced naturally by the sun but with no UV radiation. It can be used as a complementary therapy for wound healing, including burns, leg ulcers and pressure injuries, as part of physiotherapy treatment, for skin conditions and can also help people suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

Lorena Love, care home manager at Marchglen, hopes the pioneering piece of equipment will make a big difference to residents helping "in the treatment of a range of painful skin conditions at this and our neighbouring homes".

Marchglen Care Centre is part of the Caring Home Group and looks after people from across Scotland living with acquired brain injuries, those seeking treatment for neurological conditions and people exhibiting signs of challenging behaviour. The home also provides support for people living with Huntington's Disease, Melas Syndrome and other physically debilitating conditions.

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click here for more details or to contact Marchglen Care Centre