Having a Medical Photograph Taken (RA)

Medical Photography Clinic – Patient Information Leaflet

You have been referred by your GP for an assessment of a lesion on your skin or a skin condition. To direct you to the most appropriate care, you will initially be seen in our Medical Photography clinic.

What is the Medical Photography Clinic?

The Medical Photography Clinic is staffed by specialist medical photographers who use flash and digital photography to support the assessment, diagnosis, monitoring, and management of skin conditions. Due to the high volume of referrals received by the Dermatology Service, your care pathway will begin with an appointment in Medical Photography. The clinical photographs taken during this appointment allow the Dermatology team to review your condition and determine the appropriate priority and urgency of your referral, ensuring you receive the most suitable care.

What photographs will be taken?

 To help the dermatologist identify the lesion, a qualified professional medical photographer will take a series of photographs (see images below).

• General location images – to show where the lesion/condition is on the body.
• Close-up images – taken with a scale.
• Dermoscopy images – if you have a lesion requiring magnified assessment.

A dermatoscope uses a high-quality magnifying lens that allows detailed evaluation of skin lesions.  The photographer will gently press the dermatoscope against the skin’s surface to take detailed images of your lesion. This shouldn’t cause any pain.

Please note that some lesions will not be suitable for dermascopic photography, these include discharging or bleeding lesions, this in line with infection control guidelines.

Please note:

• You will not have a face-to-face consultation with a doctor at this appointment.
•  We will only photograph the specific lesion or skin condition that has been referred by your GP.
•  If you are late for your appointment, you may be asked to rebook.

Photography Consent

We will ask for your verbal consent before taking any photographs. Your images will form part of your confidential medical record, and the photographer can answer any questions you may have about how they are used.

What will happen while I am here?

•  Please report to reception on arrival (if there is no one on reception, please have a seat and wait to be called).
• You will be collected from the waiting area by the photographer or clinical support administrator.
• The photographer will confirm your details and explain the procedure.
• A chaperone is available for sensitive photography, please request this at any time.
• You may be asked to remove jewellery, clothing or makeup from the area being photographed.
• A digital camera and flash lighting will be used – no X-rays are involved.
• If a photographer of the same gender is not available, alternative options will be offered.
• The photography session should take no longer than 15 minutes.

What happens next?

After your medical photography appointment, you are free to leave. Your images are uploaded to a secure database and only accessible by authorised healthcare professionals. Your images and GP referral will be reviewed by a Dermatologist and one of the following steps will happen:

1. Discharged back to the GP with advice and guidance from Dermatology.
2. If your referral has been changed from a Rapid Access referral to either urgent or routine pathway, your GP and you will receive a copy of the letterexplaining this and providing further information. If you would like to talk to someone about the status of your referral, please contact the Patient Management Centre on (01384) 365100.
3. After your photographs have been taken, if your referral has been accepted for a Rapid Access appointment, the Rapid Access team will arrange a face-to-face appointment for you with a Dermatologist or Plastic Surgeon so your condition can be reviewed.

Frequently Asked Questions

 What if I don’t hear anything?

If you have not heard anything – please contact your GP. Please allow 4-8 weeks after your photographs for the results to come through. Results are also visible on the NHS App.

How do I cancel or rebook my appointment?

If you should need to rebook or cancel your appointment, please contact the following number: (01384) 456111 extension 2756 or 4243.

Will I be told anything during my appointment?

Unfortunately, a medical photographer will not be able to tell you anything on the day of your appointment.

Can they really tell from a photograph?

Yes. Compared to visual inspection, Dermoscopy offers a significantly more thorough and precise evaluation of skin lesions. As a result, melanomas and other skin malignancies are detected at far higher rates. Benign and malignant growths may be distinguished with greater accuracy.

Where do I park?

Unfortunately, parking is limited at Brierley Hill Health and Social Care Centre. Please allow for extra time to park.

Where do I need to go?

At the Brierley Hill Health and Social Care Centre, Venture Way, DY5 1RU, please go to the 1^st floor. Medical Photography, Skin Dermoscopy Clinic is located with Cardiology and Ultrasound.

Follow signs for Medical Photography:

Originator: Racheal Wicker/Katie Owen. Date originated: June 2020. Next review date: October 2029. Version: 2. DGH ref.: DGH/PIL/02225