Epidermolysis bullosa, vitaligo and psoriasis

St John's Hospital Fund Model and TV personality Nell McAndrew officially opened a new national diagnostic laboratory for the skin disorder epidermolysis bullosa (EB) at St Thomas’ Hospital.

The Charity's St John's Hospital Fund contributed £81,000 to refurbishing and equipping the new laboratory which is part of the St John’s Institute of Dermatology. Additional funding of £240,000 was provided by the Department of Health’s National Specialist Commissioning Advisory Group (NSCAG) who have designated St Thomas’ as the national lab to provide rapid diagnosis of all suspected cases of EB throughout the country.

EB is the name of a group of genetic disorders causing blistering and shearing of the skin from even the gentlest friction, often from simple day-to-day activities. The condition is not contagious, it is inherited. You may have seen more about epidermolysis bullosa on Channel 4's documentary 'The Boy Whose Skin Fell Off’ that documented the life and death of EB sufferer Jonny Kennedy.

The new lab is named after Professor Robin Eady who pioneered the EB service in the St John's Institute of Dermatology, and is led by Head of Laboratory, Trish Dopping-Hepenstal.

Nell McAndrew was present at the official opening as a celebrity supporter of the national charity DebRA (Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Research Association), which works on behalf of people living with EB.

She said: “The courage of Jonny and many other people like him who are living with EB is an inspiration. I am delighted to support not only the great work that DebRA does but also this new lab which will enable the experts at St Thomas’ to help diagnose the condition.”

Consultant Dermatologist Professor John McGrath, who leads the EB service at St Thomas’, said: “I hope that this new lab will improve the care provided for people living with EB throughout the UK by accurately diagnosing the condition as quickly as possible.”

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