Dermatology and Minor Surgery Services

South Tyneside

Dermatology and

Dermatology and Minor Surgery Services

The dermatology and minor surgery department is a specialist service which looks at skin, hair and nail problems. This service is available to all patients registered with a General Practitioner (GP) in Sunderland.

The team consists of:

• Consultant Dermatologist

• General Practitioners with a Special Interest in Dermatology • General Practitioners with a Special Interest in Minor Surgery • Advanced Nurse Practitioner

• Surgical Nurse Practitioners • Dermatology Specialist Nurses • Staff Nurses

• Health Care Assistants • Administrators

You have been referred to the Dermatology Department for a consultation with medical staff who have specialist knowledge in treating skin, hair and nail problems. The consultant has trained and skilled doctors working with them in their clinics. You may not always be seen by the consultant but they will remain in overall charge of your care.

If you require any additional information prior to your visit, please call 0191 5195850. Our staff will be pleased to help.

Please Note: Failure to attend your appointment or cancelling

on more than two occasions will result in you being discharged and your referral sent back to your GP. If you are unable to attend your appointment please telephone the above number and an alternative appointment can be arranged.

On arrival please report to Reception at the main entrance.

As well as being seen by a doctor, you may need to undergo a variety of tests which will help in the diagnosis of your skin condition or to monitor the treatment you are prescribed. These tests may include blood tests, skin scrapings, skin swabs, skin biopsy, and photographs.

It is difficult to know in advance how long each patient will need to spend with the doctor and, from time to time, there may be unforeseen delays. Waiting times for each clinic will be displayed and confirmed by the nurse. You may like to bring some reading material with you.

Following your appointment with the consultant or doctor you may be given a follow up appointment with a nurse/nurse practitioner who has had specialist training in dermatology. If your condition requires treatment in a more specialised hospital department we will arrange this. When your diagnosis has been confirmed and treated appropriately, you may be referred back to your GP who will continue to monitor your condition.

Surgical Appointments and Lump and Bumps

Please be aware that being seen in this clinic does not necessarily mean we will be removing a skin lesion. It may be that the risk of surgery outweighs the benefits of carrying this out so it would not be in your best medical interests to perform surgery. South Tyneside Foundation Trust (STFT) incorporating Community Health Services also has a policy of not removing skin lesions for cosmetic purposes. We do not therefore usually remove innocent moles. If surgery is required, it may take place at the time of your appointment. However, due to time constraints this is not always possible, and in this case a further appointment will be arranged at your convenience to have any surgery carried out.

At your surgical appointment the Surgical Practitioner will explain the procedure and any follow on care and ask you to sign a consent form. The Surgical Practitioner will give you an injection of local anaesthetic to numb the area and prevent pain during surgery. You will then have your procedure preformed and may be given a further appointment to see the nurse to have any stitches removed or your wound checked the following week. Alternatively if you wish, you can arrange this at your own GP Practice

If you would like to discuss anything further or if you are unable to attend this appointment, please call 0191 5195850 to speak to the reception staff.

Remember

If this is your first visit and you need an ambulance on medical grounds, please contact your GP who will make necessary arrangements, at least two days before your appointment. Ensure that you check your appointment letter to identify the date and time you are to attend.

Car Parking Facilities

Car parking areas are available within the Primary Care Centre grounds free of charge. Parking bays for disabled drivers are clearly marked. All patients are advised that Bunny Hill Primary Care Centre cannot accept responsibility for any vehicle parked in the Primary Care Centre grounds nor for any property brought to the centre.

If you have any difficulty walking and you are arriving by car you may be dropped off outside the main entrance of the Bunny Hill Primary Care Centre.

If you are brought to the Bunny Hill Primary Care Centre by ambulance please tell the nurse organising the clinic that you have arrived. We will do our best to have you seen by the doctor as soon as possible.

You will need to pay a prescription charge for any drugs/ ointments which are prescribed by the department unless you are exempt from prescription charges. If you require medications regularly then a pre-paid prescription is worth consideration. Details are available from pharmacy.

Patients Attending for Treatments or Dressings

Please report to the main reception on arrival. The treatment room is open from 8.30am – 11.00am for dressings, treatments and blood samples. A member of the Nursing Team can arrange appointments for: • Cryotherapy Clinics • Dermojet Clinics • Nurse-led Clinics • Minor Surgery • Dressings • Bloods • Acne Clinic

Please help us help you. If you cannot attend please inform the Dermatology Department immediately and they will give you another date. By doing this we may be able to offer the appointment you can’t attend to another patient. This helps to reduce waiting times for everyone, including yourself.

Our Commitment to Patients

We are always willing to offer help and advice to our patients. Please do not be afraid to ask questions about your treatment. You can be sure that we are committed to providing you with the best possible service at all times and that we will strive to always:

• Treat you as an individual • Consider your needs and rights • Maintain confidentiality

• Ensure maximum privacy

• Explain your condition and your treatment • Keep waiting to a minimum

• Identify a named nurse for your visit

(Staff photographs are displayed within the department)

Suggestions & Complaints

We welcome your comments, both positive and negative. If for any reason you are unhappy about any part of your visit to the Dermatology Department, or if you have a suggestion which could improve our service, please inform the manager or Nurse in Charge at the clinic you are attending, or use the suggestion box situated at the Nurse’s station within the Department.

Facilities Include

• Wheelchairs and portering assistance – please ask for help on arrival

• The Bunny Hill Primary Care Centre dining facilities and library are on the ground floor, and are available for patients and visitor use

Production date: January 2016 Author: Dermatology and Minor Surgery

We are committed to raising the standard of written information for patients, their carers, people who use the NHS and the general public.

This information can be made available in another format or language on request. For further copies of this leaflet please contact on telephone numbers above.

The Dermatology Service is open from 8.30am - 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.

DIRECT LINES:

APPOINTMENTS: 0191 5195850 SECRETARIES: 0191 5195853 NURSES: 0191 5195850