Pictured at the launch of the Charles Institute are Ms. Mary Harney T.D., Minister for Health and Children; Professor Desmond Fitzgerald, UCD Vice-President for Research; and Mr Peter O’Flanagan, Chair of the Board of the City of Dublin Skin and Cancer Hospital
The Board of the City of Dublin Skin and Cancer Hospital and University College Dublin have announced details of a new facility dedicated to research in skin conditions and the training of health professionals in dermatology.
The Charles Institute, named in honour of Andrew Charles, the founder of the original skin hospital in Hume Street, represents the largest single investment into dermatological research and training in Ireland. The new 2,000 square metre institute will be built on the UCD campus at Belfield at a cost of €18 million.
"I am delighted to launch this important research initiative in the area of skin disease. Skin conditions affect so many people, in so many ways and for some, all through their lives. I am confident that the Charles Institute will contribute significantly to the successful treatment of skin conditions resulting from research initiated at the Institute,” said the Minister for Health & Children, Ms Mary Harney TD, who officially launched the initiative.
“Building on the legacy of the City of Dublin Skin and Cancer Hospital, the Charles Institute will launch new research investigations into the understanding and the treatment of dermatological conditions. The Institute will enhance bench-to-bedside research ensuring that new discoveries in the field are readily available to patients suffering from dermatological conditions,” says Professor Desmond Fitzgerald, Vice-President for Research at UCD.
“The new Institute will be located between the UCD Conway Institute and the UCD Health Sciences Centre which houses the disciplines of medicine, nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy and diagnostic imaging. This will create a unique health and biomedical sciences complex with the Charles Institute at its centre,” Prof Fitzgerald added.
“The Charles Institute will provide for the future training of all healthcare professionals dedicated to curing skin disease. It will co-ordinate a national programme of continued medical education and patient advocacy to improve the well-being of patients suffering from dermatological conditions.” says Mr Peter O’Flanagan, Chair of the Board of the City of Dublin Skin and Cancer Hospital.
Between 25% and 33% of the Irish population suffer from a dermatological condition at any one time with skin cancer being the most common form of cancer in Ireland.
