Trouble is, the Southern Health and Social Services Trust is "reviewing" the service and may close the ward.

"That would be devastating," said Mrs Hobson, who suffers from atopic eczema and checks into Ward 5 as an inpatient every two or three weeks.

"Not only is the treatment cutting edge, but the ward is self-contained and private. We are waging a campaign on behalf of all the patients who feel just as strongly about it as we do.

"There are anything between 10 and 12 patients there at any given time, all of us with skin complaints.

"When atopic eczema strikes, my skin literally bursts open and bleeds. I'm swathed in bandages and treated with steroid creams and strong drugs.

"I'm fine in the privacy of the ward, with everyone in the same boat, but the Trust is considering moving us to an open ward in Craigavon Area Hospital, and that would be unthinkable for people who are self-conscious about their skin disorders and carrying a stigma. We'd be a peep show."

Mrs Gracey suffers from a rare condition called dermatomyositis, which affects muscles and skin.

"I lose control of my muscles and am like a rag doll," she said. " On top of that, my skin turns purple, my body swells and I'm admitted for anything up to seven weeks for treatment.

"The staff are fantastic and there's a superb family atmosphere. We get loads of tlc and that wouldn't happen in a large, general hospital. We'd be devastated if this ward was closed."

A spokeswoman for the Trust said that it was unusual for dermatology services to be catered for on two sites - inpatients at Lurgan and outpatients at Craigavon, just five miles away.

"We are reviewing the service and the outcome will be known soon," she said.

Meanwhile, Upper Bann MP David Simpson is setting up a meeting with the Trust's chief executive, Colm Donaghy, in a bid to prevent a closure.

"I can understand the apprehension of the patients and I will do my best," he said. "Dermatology is a condition that requires expert treatment and a suitably-located ward. Lurgan provides both and I will be fighting their corner when I meet Colm Donaghy."