Medical Help

Many of us have found it very difficult to get accurate and consistent information about birthmarks when we first start seeking help. The initial experience of many of our members is that of misdiagnosis or incorrect advice in the early stages. Some birthmarks are complex and no one can expect any one doctor to be an expert in all medical fields. The important thing is to know where to go to get appropriate help. For many birthmarks early diagnosis and treatment is essential. The correct process for getting help is as follows:

Book an appointment with your GP to identify the type of birthmark and the potential treatments
In some cases the GP will refer the case to a consultant paediatrician or consultant dermatologist or alternatively directly to a birthmark specialist at a tertiary centre. If possible, try and persuade the GP to refer directly to a contact at a tertiary centre as it is important that you are seen by a birthmark specialist as soon as possible. Being referred to a consultant paediatrician can lengthen the process and the paediatrician may not always be a specialist within the birthmark field
If the GP is not willing to refer the case you can ask for a referral for a second opinion. Try to validate what the GP has said by reference to another GP and/or articles contained on this Web site.
If you are referred to a consultant paediatrician/dermatologist and you are not happy with the prognosis you can ask for a referral to a tertiary centre. The main tertiary units currently treating birthmarks are:

ALDER HEY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL LIVERPOOL

Address: Laser Suite, Alder Hey Children's Hospital, R.L.C.H. (Alder Hey), Eaton Road, Liverpool L12 2AP
Telephone: 0151 252 5402 Fax: 0151 252 5932

BIRMINGHAM CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL NHS TRUST BIRMINGHAM

Address: Department of Plastic Surgery, Steelhouse lane, Birmingham, B4 6NH
Telephone: 0121 3339999 Fax: 0121 333 9998

BRADFORD ROYAL INFIRMARY BRADFORD

Address: Pulse Wave Dye Laser Clinic, Dept of Plastic Surgery, Bradford Royal Infirmary, Duckworth Lane, Bradford BD9 6RJ
Telephone: 01274 364608 Fax: 01274 366593

DERMATOLOGY LASER CLINIC (NHS) BRIDGEND

Address: Department of Dermatology, Princess of Wales Hospital, Coity Road, Bridgend, Wales CF31 1RQ
Telephone: 01656 752106 Fax: 01656 752821

GREAT ORMOND STREET HOSPITAL LONDON WC1

Address: Dept of Paediatric Dermatology, Great Ormond Street Childrens Hospital, Great Ormond Street, London WC1N 3JH
Telephone: 020 7405 9200 ext 8668/5601 Fax: 020 7813 8274

ST JOHNS HOSPITAL LIVINGSTON

Address: Laser Suite, Department of Plastic Surgery, St John's Hospital, Howden Road West, Livingston West Lothian, EH54 6PP
Telephone: 01506 419666 Fax: 01506 460592

LASER CENTRE OF THE South West BRISTOL

Address: Laser Centre of the SW, Frenchay Healthcare Trust, Frenchay Hospital, Frenchay, Bristol BS16 1LE
Telephone: 0117 975 3807 Fax: 0117 975 3980

ROYAL FREE HOSPITAL LONDON NW3

Address: Skin Laser Clinic, Dermatology Outpatients, Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street, London NW3 2QG
Telephone: 020 7435 7521

St JOHNS INSTITUTE OF DERMATOLOGY LONDON SE1

Address: Dermatological Surgery & Laser Unit, St Johns Institute of Dermatology, St Thomas' Hospital, Lambeth Palace Road, London SE1 7EH
Telephone: 020 7928 9292 Ext 1423 Fax: 020 7922 8367

The Skin Laser Directory www.skinlaserdirectory.org.uk contains a comprehensive international list of skin laser clinics. In the UK this covers both the private and NHS sectors. This site contains details of the different types of Skin Lasers and possible treatments.