Your general dermatology appointment

This page explains what you can expect when you come for your general dermatology appointment.

How do I get an appointment?

You can be referred by your GP or a local hospital.

• Changing your appointment

  If you need to change or cancel your appointment, please contact us as soon as possible by calling 020 7188 8884.

  Select option 1 to cancel an existing appointment, option 2 to book or reschedule a follow-up appointment and option 3 to book or reschedule a new appointment.

• Before your appointment

  Please bring a list of all current medicines you are taking and a list of any drug allergies you may have.

  Please also provide details of previous treatments already tried for your skin condition.

• What to expect at your appointment

  You will be seen by one of our general dermatology doctors and you may also need to be seen by one of our nurses.

  Please allow up to four hours for your appointment as you may have a number of tests on the day.

  You may have:

  • a full skin examination as well as the area of concern
  • an examination with a dermatoscope (a magnifier for skin)
  • a swab or skin scraping to look for infection
  • your blood pressure and weight recorded bu a clinic nurse and you may be asked to provide a urine sample
  • photographs
  • a questionnaire relating to how your skin disease is affecting your quality of life
  • a skin biopsy (PDF 93Kb) (this involves removing a sample of tissue or cells). Local anaesthetic is used to numb the area before the procedure.

  We aim to do any tests that are needed on the day but you may need to return on another day to have the skin biopsy.

  We are a teaching institution and as such may have visiting clinical undergraduates and post-graduates, including doctors and other health care professionals, in attendance during your consultation.

• After your appointment

  After your appointment we will send a letter and treatment plan to you and your GP. If you do not wish to receive a copy of your clinic letter then please let our receptionist know.

  Our aim is to diagnose your skin problem and help you manage it with the ongoing support of your GP.

  You may be provided with a follow-up appointment to discuss the results of any tests or if the treatment you have been given needs hospital monitoring.

  If you have any problems after your visit, please contact the dermatological secretaries at gst-tr.generaldermatology@nhs.net.