Your appointment at the severe eczema clinic

You can be referred to our department by your GP or another healthcare professional.

Please see your GP or dermatologist if you would like to be referred.

The severe eczema clinic

• This clinic takes place every Wednesday morning between 8.45am and 1pm.
• Location: Dermatology, ground floor, Bermondsey centre, Guy’s Hospital
• Please contact Aisha Nakasi on 020 7188 0844 should you need further assistance.

• Changing your appointment

  Patients can change their appointment by calling 020 7188 0844 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday.

• Before your appointment

  We would be grateful if you could provide the following information during your consultation:

  • details of investigations or treatments you have received in the past for your eczema;
  • details of all current medicines you take (for your eczema and any other medical condition);

  • details of any allergies you are known to have;
  • details of past infections, including chickenpox and any vaccinations you have received
  • the names and contact details for any other specialists you see for your eczema or any other condition for which you receive hospital care

  You may also find it useful to bring a list of any questions that you may have for the doctors.

• What to expect at your appointment

  We try to make the first visit to our service as comprehensive as possible and this takes time.  Please allow three hours. 

  On arrival you will be invited to complete questionnaires about your eczema and how it affects your life.  This information will transfer automatically, and confidentially, to your electronic patient record.  The clinical team will review your answers during your consultation and may ask some additional questions.

  A clinic nurse may record your blood pressure, weight and ask you to provide a urine sample.

  You will be seen by one of our medical dermatology team.  Our service is consultant- led and so you will always either be seen in person by, or your case discussed with, one of our senior consultants. 

  We will ask you questions about your condition including questions about your eczema, other allergies or medical problems you may have, previous and current treatments, how your condition affects you, and what your main concerns and goals are. With your permission, we will examine your skin.  A chaperone is always available. 

  We will develop an investigation and treatment plan collaboratively with you.

  We may need to do some investigations during the appointment, for example blood tests or skin swabs.

  You may also see one or all of the following members of our multi-disciplinary team:

  A clinical nurse specialist to discuss treatment plans and provide advice and guidance

  Our team psychologist for support with psychological distress related to eczema.

  Our consultant allergist and clinical nurse specialist in Allergy for assessment of related allergic disease

  A member of our clinical research team. Research into the cause and treatment of eczema is an integral part of our service and we aim to ensure all patients are offered the opportunity to participate. This is entirely voluntary.  You are under no obligation to take part and if you decline this will not affect your care in any way.

  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 to you and your local health team summarising your visit. If you do not wish to receive a copy of your clinic letter then please let our receptionist know.

  You may be provided with a follow up appointment and we may arrange for further investigations.

  We will provide you with contact details for our nurse specialist team and a treatment plan.

• Useful links

  Patient information leaflets from the British Association of Dermatologists

  National Eczema Society

  Skin Support