Dermatological Surgery and Laser Unit

Introduction

The Dermatological Surgery and Laser Unit Programme has been designed by leading surgical consultants within St John’s Institute of Dermatology, which is part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. The programme offers international visiting professionals with the opportunity to experience our cutting edge skin cancer services.

Programme aims

The programme has been designed by our clinical lead within the Dermatological Surgery and Laser Unit. It has been created to ensure that all visitors are provided with the opportunity to experience the following areas:

•    Skin cancer Clinics
•    Internal teaching meetings
•    Surgery, including Mohs surgery
•    Laser treatments, including Pulsed Dye and Nd Yag

A Certificate of Attendance will be awarded to visitors upon the end of their programme.

Format

The Dermatology programme is delivered at St John’s Institute of Dermatology within the hospital work place and all visiting professionals will be aligned with a supervisor from within the clinical team. The supervisor’s role is to ensure that visiting professionals have the opportunity to experience the full range of services and treatments that the Dermatological Surgery and Laser Unit can offer to patients.

Who can apply

This programme is intended for non U.K. registrars, fellows and consultants who wish to learn about our cutting edge surgical and laser services through observation.

The programme gives the opportunity for participants to be totally integrated with the day to day service within our dermatological surgery and laser team.

Programme duration

The programme typically runs for three to six months; however the duration can be tailored to the specific learning requirements of those visiting the Trust.

Dermatological Surgery and Laser Unit Service

Our dermatological surgery and laser unit is the largest centre in the UK, and with over twenty years of experience it is also the most established. We are a tertiary referral centre for patients requiring comprehensive laser treatments for conditions such as for birthmarks, keloid scars and some specific pigmentary conditions. 

The unit has a fantastic reputation for providing cutting edge treatments to those with skin cancer, including photodynamic therapy for low risk skin cancers and Mohs surgery. Our team performs over a thousand cases of Mohs surgery every year and we have become a leading centre for Mohs micrographic surgery. In addition to this we are also the only hospital in the whole of the UK that uses reflectance confocal microscopy, removing the need for a biopsy on suitable patients. 

Our unit accepts consultation referrals regarding: 

• Laser treatments – C02, Pulsed Dye, Nd Yag 
• Mohs surgery for biopsy proven skin cancer on the face, head and neck 
• Treatment of Keloid scars with triamcinolone acetonide 
• Photodynamic therapy for superficial skin cancer 
• Excision of biopsy proven skin cancer on the body 

The dermatological surgery and laser unit does extensive research into the latest diagnostic and treatment methods, and as a result we have become the first hospital in the UK to use a new microscope, called a Vivascope. The Vivascope can detect skin cancer and provide detailed images meaning that it effectively performs a non-invasive biopsy. This is just of many examples as to why our dermatological surgery and laser unit is the best in the country. 

Fees

A course fee per week will be applied; this fee excludes accommodation and travelling expenses. To find out the fee amount please email vpp@gstt.nhs.uk.

Please note

Clinicians are able to offer bursaries or discounted placements on an individual basis. This is at the discretion of the Directorates of GSTT and does not affect the terms and conditions of the Visiting Professional Programme agreements.