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Dermatology

Having a clinical photograph taken

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 Skin Dermoscopy Clinic.

What is the Skin Dermoscopy Clinic?

This clinic utilises digital photography to triage, diagnose, monitor or assess skin conditions. This route can help in the early detection of skin cancer.

To help the dermatologist identify the lesion, a qualified professional medical photographer will take a series of photographs.

A dermatoscope uses a high-quality magnifying lens to assess the characteristics of skin lesions, these features include, symmetry or asymmetry, uniformity, colour and the borders of a lesion.

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.

These images will be forwarded to a dermatologist for an online evaluation to determine whether you require further treatment. 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.

 

Will it take long?

The photography session should take no longer than 15 minutes.

 

What will happen while I am here?

Please attend the reception desk upon arrival to confirm attendance.

You will be collected from the waiting room by the photographer.

The photographer will confirm a few details with you and then explain the procedure of the clinic.

You may be asked to remove jewellery, clothing and possibly make-up from the area requiring photographs.

A digital camera and flash lighting will be utilised. There are no X-rays involved.

If a photographer of the same gender is not available, you will be presented with alternative options.

If the photographs are of a sensitive nature a chaperone is available on request by asking the photographer during your appointment.

 

Please note:

You will not have a face-to-face consultation with a doctor at this appointment.

We will only assess the specific lesion or skin condition that has been referred by your GP.

 

What happens next?

After your medical photography appointment 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. Downgraded from Rapid Access referral to either urgent or routine. If your referral has been downgraded to either urgent or routine, the Patient Management Centre will be in contact. If you would like to discuss this further please contact them on 01384 365100.
  3. You would be contacted within 48 hours of the photograph being taken by the Rapid Access team and booked into a face-to-face review with a Dermatologist or Plastic Surgeon.

Please allow 2-3 weeks after your photographs. If you have not heard anything by the third week, please contact your GP.

 

FAQs

What if I don’t hear anything by the end of the third week?

If you have not been contacted 2-3 weeks after your photographs.
Please contact your GP for any updates.

 

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 ext 2756 / 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.

 

Where do I need to go?

If your appointment is at Russells Hall Hospital, please go to the 2nd floor. Medical Photography is sign posted and situated opposite Ward C4 – Georgina Unit.

If your appointment is at the Brierley Hill Health and Social Care Centre, please go to the 1st floor. Medical Photography, Skin Dermoscopy Clinic is located with Cardiology and Ultrasound.

 

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.

 

Does an urgent follow up appointment or surgery mean I have cancer?

No. There may be several reasons why you could be asked to return. Usually, urgent appointments can be scheduled in a matter of weeks.

 

For further information:

If you have any questions, or if there is anything you do not understand about this leaflet, please contact Russells Hall Hospital switchboard number on 01384 456111.

If you have any feedback on this patient information leaflet, please email dgft.patient.information@nhs.net

This leaflet can be made available in large print, audio version and in other languages, please call 0800 073 0510.

Originator: Rachael Wicker Date reviewed: January 2025 Next review due: September 2027  Version: 1 DGH ref: DGH/PIL/02225