Patients suffering from a debilitating skin disease have rated their treatment at St Helier Hospital as ‘life changing’.

Psoriasis affects 1.8m people in the UK causing red, flaky patches to appear their skin – often causing it to be itchy and sore.

A patient survey, by the Psoriasis Biologics Clinic, found 98 per cent of St Helier’s psoriasis patients felt they were given enough information and 94 per cent were very or completely satisfied with the clinic.

St Helier’s clinic was set up in 2008 in the dermatology department to treat very severe cases of psoriasis and is run by two consultants, a specialist nurse and a clinician.

Up to 60 psoriasis patients were surveyed over a three-month period at the hospital.

Patient Mark Willmott, 46, from Sutton, has been attending the clinic since January and said: "I’ve been suffering with psoriasis now for around 12 years. People don’t really understand the condition, they think it is contagious and it can really affect your life.

"It got so bad I was referred to this clinic which has worked wonders for me. The staff are extremely patient focused. I’m much more confident and a lot happier now."

Dr Emanuela Campalani, consultant at the clinic, said: "We are really delighted so many of our patients are happy and it is wonderful to hear the treatment we provide through our clinic described as ‘life changing’ for many of our patients."