Service overview - Dermatology
Our dermatology team treat patients with clinical conditions involving the skin, hair, and nails. A dermatologist can identify and treat many conditions. These conditions include eczema, psoriasis, and skin cancer, among many others.
AttendAnywhere video consultations for patients
We've introduced video appointments to help us carry on seeing patients during the current coronavirus pandemic.
Many of our services are now using this resource. Visit our AttendAnywhere page to find out more and to watch a short video, which will help you understand how these video appointments will work.
Basildon Hospital - Dermatology services
Who the service is for
The Dermatology service is for people living in south Essex.
About the service
The Dermatology service offers a range of specialist services.
Cryotherapy
Minor surgery
Paediatric dermatology clinic (at Basildon Hospital)
One stop dermatology tumour clinics, where appropriate surgery is carried out on the same day
Active UV photo therapy, including PUVA (whole body and hands and feet), both systemic and bath PUVA, and narrow band (TLO 1) UVB.
Allergy clinics and patch testing
Leg ulcer clinics
Photo dynamic therapy (PDT) clinics
Severe psoriasis clinic
Combined dermatology – gynaecology clinic for vulval disorders
Radiotherapy – local oncology clinics are held at Basildon and Orsett hospitals but treatment is undertaken in Southend
Where patients require inpatient hospital care they will be admitted to Basildon University Hospital or to Southend Hospital
Contact
Arthur Rook Centre for Dermatology at Basildon University Hospital: 01268 524900 ext 4576
Southend Hospital Dermatology Day Unit: 01702 385834
Broomfield Hospital - Dermatology services
The Dermatology department is concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of skin disorders. Skin diseases are very common affecting 22.5-33% of the population and most patients are effectively treated by pharmacists, nurses and family doctors. Whilst some skin disease are very common such as warts and acne, others are less common and more serious. Altogether there are over a thousand different skin diseases which explains why diagnosis can sometimes be difficult.
Services
15 outpatient and skin surgery sessions per week
Dermatology suite where skin treatments and investigations are undertaken by our team of specialist nurses
Working closely with the St Andrew’s Centre for Plastic Surgery, particularly in the treatment of patients with skin cancers
Locations
MEHT Dermatology Department, Court Road, Broomfield, Chelmsford, CM1 7ET
MEHT Dermatology Clinic, St Peter's Hospital, Spital Road, Maldon, CM9 6EG
Referrals
Referrals to this department should be made only by health professionals, and should be sent to:
MEHT Mid Essex Referrals Centre, Broomfield Hospital, Pudding Woods Lane, Chelmsford, CM1 7ET.
Some Myths and Misunderstandings
Relatively few skin diseases are catching. Your doctor will tell you if your problem is due to an infection.
NHS hospital dermatology departments do not deal with cosmetic problems such as tattoo removal, thread veins, benign mole and wart removal, male pattern baldness and removal of excess hair.
Whilst we are able to investigate certain skin disorders due to allergy, we are not able or equipped to deal with other suspected allergies causing asthma, hay fever or digestive symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) Should I use a sun bed to help my psoriasis?
Although natural sunshine helps many patients with psoriasis, the lighting tubes in sun beds are specifically designed for tanning and have very little benefit for psoriasis. For this reason it is not recommend the use of sun beds. Hospitals have special ultraviolet light cabinets designed for the treatment of psoriasis.
2) My child has troublesome eczema and I have been told bathing may be harmful
Although soaps and excessive bathing can dry out the skin and worsen eczema, once daily bathing using a bath emollient, a soap substitute and a moisturiser after bathing is in fact comforting and beneficial for children with eczema.
3) I have developed eczema, should I undergo food allergy tests?
Apart from in some infants there is little evidence that food allergy contributes to eczema. Many commercial organisations offer expensive, irrelevant and unreliable allergy tests. Your GP or dermatologist will advise you on this matter.
Southend Hospital - Dermatology services
General medicine
Our general medicine consultants deal with a wide range of conditions including diabetes, chest complaints, kidney failure, heart attacks and severe stomach disorders.
Our services include:
Dermatology - the assessment and treatment of conditions associated with diseases of the skin; skin allergy
Contact us
Dermatology patient pathway co-ordinator (for patient queries): 01702 385332