Appointments

Your appointment may be:

• face-to-face
• by telephone

How to get an appointment

You can ask your GP to refer you.

You must be registered with a GP in Lambeth or Southwark.

After we receive your referral, we may:

• give your GP advice for managing your condition, or
• offer you an appointment at our community clinic or in hospital

We'll see you within 8 weeks of accepting your referral.

Changing or cancelling your appointment

For Lambeth patients

St Thomas’ Hospital and West Norwood Health and Leisure Centre: 020 7188 7188 extension 53813

Email: [email protected]

For Southwark patients

Guy's Hospital: 020 7188 7188, extension 56420

Elm Lodge surgery: 07776 512899

Email: [email protected]

Please let us know at least 2 working days before your appointment if you need to cancel or change it. You may have to wait 8 to 10 weeks for a new appointment.

If you miss your appointment without letting us know we'll discharge you back to your GP.

Before your appointment

We'll send you a letter with your appointment details, including:

• date
• time
• location

We will also send you a text confirmation.

Please try to arrive no more than 10 minutes early for your appointment.

If your appointment is by phone, we'll call you. Please make sure we have your correct phone number.

Please send photos before your appointment if we ask you to. This is important if your appointment is by telephone.

Patient transport to our community clinic is not available.

During your appointment

You may see:

• a consultant dermatologist
• a dermatologist trainee
• a GP with extended role
• a GP trainee
• a specialist dermatology nurse

We'll ask you to tell us about your skin concern.

We'll either examine you or look at your photos.

You may need to have a test, such as a:

• swab
• blood test
• skin biopsy

This may be on the day of your appointment or on a different day.

Some conditions do not need any treatment. We may tell you about treatment to buy from a pharmacist without a prescription, or give you a prescription to take to a pharmacy in the community. Occasionally we'll give you a prescription to take to the hospital pharmacy. 

Telephone appointments

We'll try to call you as near to your appointment time as possible.

If you do not hear from us within 1 hour of your appointment time, please contact us.

After your appointment

We'll email you and your GP a letter summarising your visit. Please make sure we have your correct email address. We can send the letter in the post if you prefer.

If you have had tests we'll tell you how you'll get the results.

Please contact your GP if you need:

• medicines we've prescribed you
• repeat prescriptions

Most people only need 1 appointment with us. We'll arrange any follow-up appointments if you need them.