The mission To see if some intensive psoriasis treatment could treat this demoralising skin condition.

USP A hospital, not a resort.

Ambience Although it's not glamorous, the rooms are private, comfortable and the staff are terrific. However, entertainment is in short supply and English-speaking TV is limited to CNN. The spacious grounds are a delight, once your nose adjusts to a rotten-egg aroma. Smrdáky, by the way, translates into English as “stinky”.

Quality of experience Amazing. After spending six weeks in my late teens in the skin disorders unit of an NHS hospital, with a 40 per cent improvement, I was astonished at the Smrdáky results. The spa recommends a stay of three-plus weeks, but I improved by 80 per cent in ten days.

It takes some adjustment, though, as treatments are taken naked in a communal (gender-segregated but with mixed staff) spa centre. Treatments include familiar applications: tars, salicylic acid creams, moisturisers and daily baths (strictly timed) in the hydrogen-sulphide-rich waters.

But the most important element is the combination of UV lamps in the winter and summer sunbathing. The reason so many NHS-prescribed treatments don't work, apparently, is that they're not combined with UV, which is the psoriatic's magic bullet, and the waters encourage this healing process. Months later, my skin is still much improved.

Products The spa doesn't use anything you can buy, and the waters deteriorate in storage.

In-crowd Psoriatics, mainly from Central and Eastern Europe, many on health insurance.

Food Bland (spicy foods inflame psoriasis) but plentiful. All meals are done and dusted by 6.30pm, which can leave the evenings hanging heavy.

Wallet watch A ten-night Intensive Spa Package (including flights, two medical examinations, up to five daily treatments as prescribed, plus all meals) at the Hotel Centrál starts from £599, with Wellbeing Escapes; the same package at the three-star Hotel Morava, from £649.

Need to know Smrdaky spa, near Senica, western Slovakia; contact Wellbeing Escapes on 0845 6026202, www.wellbeingescapes.co.uk

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