Getting Help
Many of us have found it very difficult to get accurate and consistent
information about birthmarks when we first start seeking help. Many of
our member's initial experience is of mis-diagnosis 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
Head of Dept: Mr Sehwang Liew, Consultant Plastic Surgeon
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
Head of Clinic: Miss Ruth Waters, Cons Plastic Surgeon
Address: Department of Plastic Surgery, Steelhouse lane, Birmingham, B4
6NH
Telephone: 0121 3339999 Fax: 0121 333 9998
BRADFORD ROYAL INFIRMARY BRADFORD
Head of Clinic: Prof D T Sharpe, Consultant Plastic Surgeon
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
Head of Clinic: Dr Sean Lanigan, MD FRCP DCH, Cons. Derm.
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
Consultants: Prof John Harper and Dr David Atherton
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
Head of Clinic: Mr Awf Quaba FRCS (Plast)
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
Head of Clinic: Mr John Kenealy, FRACS, Cons. Plastic Surgeon
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
Head of Clinic: Dr M. Rustin, Consultant Dermatologist; Dr W. Clayton,
Associate Specialist
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
Head of Dept: Dr Andrew Markey, FRCP Consultant Dermatologist
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.
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