Your donations funding skin cancer equipment and improving non-melanoma skin cancer treatment at Queen's Hospital Burton

  • Written by Anita Kincade
  • Posted: 16 Sep 2026
  • 2 min read

Through the generosity of local supporters, fundraisers and donors, we have funded a new Multilite Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) machine for use in the dermatology department at Queen's Hospital Burton.

The new machine replaces an older piece of equipment, allowing specialist teams to continue delivering this treatment locally. As well as providing greater reliability for patients and clinics, the machine has a wider treatment area, enabling larger sections of skin to be treated at once and helping clinical teams work more efficiently.

Photodynamic therapy is used to treat certain types of non-melanoma skin cancer, including superficial basal cell carcinoma, alongside pre-cancerous areas of sun-damaged skin known as actinic keratoses and Bowens disease.

The machine delivers a treatment which first sees the application of a light-sensitive gel to the affected area of skin. After the gel has been absorbed, a specialised red light is used to activate it, destroying the sun damaged cells while leaving healthy cells intact. PDT is delivered as an outpatient procedure by specially trained doctors and nurses.

We are grateful to our hospital charity for funding the photodynamic therapy machine. Conditions such as these can have a significant impact on a patient's comfort, confidence and quality of life. We've seen some encouraging results already.

Suzanne Colburn, Lead Skin Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist at the University Hospitals of Derby & Burton NHS Foundation Trust

Suzanne explained that if these skin conditions are left untreated, symptoms can worsen and potentially require surgery. Treating patients with photodynamic therapy, could help reduce the need for surgical procedures.

One patient receiving their second course of treatment for superficial Basal cell carcinoma on their back, described the positive impact the treatment has had on their daily life.

It speaks for itself. Since the first treatment I haven't had any itchiness or weeping, whereas I'd been itching for months. My wife used to have to wash our bed sheets twice a week and I would be constantly changing my top. It was starting to make me feel down.

Patient following PDT treatment

Their experience highlights how this treatment can significantly improve both comfort and quality of life.

I am delighted to hear that our charity has been able to fund a PDT machine for our patients in Burton and the impact the treatment is having already. From improving patients' lives and helping them avoid the potential need for surgery, this is exactly why our charity exists, and I'm very thankful to everyone who supports our charity and our work.

Jill Matthews, Chief Officer, Derby & Burton Hospitals Charity

How you can help us support fund more equipment like this


Every contribution, big or small, helps us make a difference to patients, their families, and the staff who care for them. If you'd like to support our work, there are plenty of ways to get involved: