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Initial consultation

This is your first consultation with us, and we look forward to seeing you.

You will be asked to complete a registration form – please ensure you complete this fully, as this will form a part of your medical record. At some venues, there may be two registration forms to complete – one for Midland Skin Ltd (our clinic) and one for the facility.

The doctor will then meet you (physically or remotely) to carry out an assessment of your condition. Your doctor will discuss the condition first and then examine the problem area.

Sometimes it is necessary to examine your entire skin. Prepare in advance by wearing easy-to-remove clothing. Please remove make-up before you attend if you require a facial skin assessment or any form of facial treatment.

If you have opted to have a video or telephone consultation, then ensure you have supplied photographs of the condition which are clear and in focus.

The initial consultation is an exploratory visit to enable an initial assessment of your condition. With the information ascertained at this consultation, we endeavour to provide you with a specialist opinion on your diagnosis, and if possible, we will recommend suitable investigations, a treatment plan.

Sometimes, a diagnosis or treatment plan is not reached at your first consultation. An exploratory discussion will take place, and you may be invited to have further investigations, see fellow specialists for an opinion, and return for follow-up consultations (see below also).

Initial consultation appointment types

Medical advice is only provided at a booked consultation. Here are the initial consultation appointment types we offer:

• Dermatology consultation – for a single concern of the skin or nails, mole checks, or rashes. If you have multiple separate problems, please let us know in advance, as multiple appointments/appointment types may be required (see below). Please note we do not offer consultations for body pigmentation concerns.
• Children’s dermatology consultation
• Mole check consultation
• Hair loss consultation
• Acne consultation
• Remote consultation – either by telephone or by video
• Specialist skin surgery consultation – required before specialist skin surgery such as excision of cyst, lipoma, skin lesion, or skin cancer
• Aesthetic consultation – consultation for the signs of ageing, wrinkles, and unbalanced facial features and proportions with non-surgical aesthetic treatments such as Botox, fillers, lasers, and Tixel
• Acne scar consultation – an acne consultation is required for those with active acne

If you have multiple conditions, please make us aware at the time of booking so we can schedule sufficient time – a separate consultation fee is charged for each appointment type.

Appointments available from us are for a single episode of care. About 50% of those attending an initial consultation will need to come back for a follow-up consultation. There is more information about follow-up consultations below.

We offer medical advice at consultations

We try to help as many of those with skin and hair loss conditions as possible, but at all stages, we have to be realistic and ask you to be the same. We need to assess you in order to provide you with relevant advice.

We only offer medical advice at a booked face-to-face or remote consultation. We do not provide advice via email correspondence, and we ask you only to submit photographs if we have requested these from you.

There will be instances where strong evidence for treatments does not exist, or our clinic does not offer a form of treatment you require – you will be advised of this, and if possible, we will let you know of other providers who may be able to assist you.

If it is clear from your enquiry that we cannot assist you, then we will let you know this. It is not possible for us to predict which treatment may be suitable for you (if there is one) without being assessed at a consultation, where your concern can be evaluated.

We also do not necessarily continue prescriptions for medications you may have been prescribed elsewhere, including from overseas or online providers, as the same criteria for prescribing are applied.

We offer no guarantee of a particular outcome from any consultation or treatment. If you are not sure whether a private dermatology consultation is for you, then we ask you to speak with your GP, who may be able to guide you and refer you accordingly.

We are not an emergency service so if you need medical advice urgently and before your initial appointment, you are advised to seek emergency care from your primary care provider or another suitable service provider.

To obtain the most out of your appointment, please ensure you have filled out your medical registration form fully and brought with you lists of previous and current medications.

Prescriptions for medications

Medications are only be prescribed following a consultation, once your doctor has a clear understanding of your health and condition. A prescription will only be given if, in the doctor’s professional opinion, the treatment is appropriate for you at that time.

Please do not assume that a particular medication will be prescribed during your visit. The decision will depend entirely on the medical assessment made by your doctor.

We may not continue prescriptions for medicines started or recommended elsewhere, including those obtained overseas or from online providers. For this reason, we strongly recommend that you bring your full medical records to your appointment. In some cases, you may be asked to return to your original prescriber for ongoing treatment.

We offer safe laser, aesthetic and surgical procedures

A lot of our practice is procedural. We work with you to advise you of the benefits and risks, to help you make an informed decision about undertaking any procedures. There is a lot of information on our website to help you reach your decision.

Surgical or laser treatments are only recommended during a consultation once your doctor has adequate knowledge of your health and condition. A particular treatment is only prescribed if it is suitable for a person in their current situation.

We ask that you do not assume that a particular treatment will be recommended at a consultation, as this will be down to the medical assessment made by your doctor.

In some instances, we may be able to offer you a same-day procedure with your initial consultation.

Chaperones

We are committed to providing a safe and comfortable environment where both patients and staff can be confident that best practice is followed.

At Midland Skin, a trained chaperone is routinely present for all consultations, examinations and procedures.

A chaperone’s role is to:

• provide reassurance and emotional support,
• help maintain your dignity during examinations, which may involve undressing or close contact,
• act as an impartial witness to what takes place.

All our chaperones are trained members of staff. A relative or friend is welcome to attend your appointment for support, but they are not considered a trained, impartial observer and therefore cannot act as a chaperone. If you wish to bring a friend or family member, please limit this to one additional person.

Because of the recognised vulnerabilities involved, our clinicians will not proceed with consultation, examination or treatment unless a trained chaperone is present. If you do not wish a chaperone to be present, you may need to consider seeking care in another setting.

You may request to see our Chaperone policy at any time.

Attending with someone else

You are welcome to attend your appointment with someone else, such as a partner, friend or relative. You must ensure that accompanying individuals are present at the beginning of your appointment.

Follow up consultations

Remote consultation

Video and telephone consultations are available – please find out more about these here.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” bg_image=”6452″ bg_position=”center center” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” parallax_bg=”true” parallax_bg_speed=”slow” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” top_padding=”7%” bottom_padding=”7%” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1513352564962{padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” top_padding=”40″ bottom_padding=”0″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”padding-3-percent” column_padding_position=”all” background_color=”#f4f4f4″ background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]

Fees

We are a private practice. All appointments and treatments are charged for on a pay-as-you-go basis.

We are transparent with our fee structure, and you can review an indication of our fees for common services here. Fees are required for the following:

• Initial consultations – appointments are for a single episode of care, and further appointments are required if further clinical advice is required.
• Follow up consultations
• Investigations and tests – this includes blood tests, biopsies, skin swabs, scans, Xrays
• Procedures – this includes steroid injection, laser treatment and any surgical procedure.
• Medications – normally paid to the pharmacy
• Repeat prescriptions
• Additional administration that we agree to do

Investigations and tests

Investigations and tests are recommended for 50% of patients. These are offered if they will assist in the diagnosis or treatment of your concerns. These may be carried out on the same visit or at a separate visit, and you will be advised on the costs of tests at your consultation. The prices for investigations and tests are in addition to your consultation fees.

Up-to-date prices can be found here.

Blood Tests & Prescriptions for High-Risk Medications

If you are due to start treatment with a high-risk medication (examples include Isotretinoin, Methotrexate or Ciclosporin), please be aware that treatment will not begin until your required blood monitoring appointments and follow-up reviews have been booked and paid for in advance, in line with established clinical protocols.

All blood tests must be arranged via Midland Skin. We do not accept blood results arranged through your GP, as we have found these to be incomplete or delayed. This can lead to unsafe prescribing and risks to your health.

If you are unable to commit to the required blood monitoring, we will not be able to initiate or continue treatment to ensure your safety.

High risk medications are prescribed at a consultation only.

Treatments and procedures

30% of patients may require some treatment, such as a minor procedure or injection. The fees for treatments are in addition to the consultation fee.  Our price schedule is available here.

If you are insured, you will require pre-authorisation for any treatments, which means it is not usual to have same-day procedures.

If you are insured, your consultation may not take place in an insurance-registered facility though your treatment, if required, will.

Medications

Clinical Photographs

Clinicians are required to take photographs (and occasionally video) to document the concerns you have, observe them over time, and monitor the effects of treatment. A condition of us seeing you is that you provide permission for this. This is because photographs form an essential part of your care and form part of your medical records. They remain confidential, similar to the rest of your medical records. Your consent for clinical photographs for your medical care will be taken at the time of your completing the registration form. Photographs are taken only of the area being treated in a way that is as unidentifiably as possible. Photographs are not used for other purposes, such as education or wider publications, without your additional consent.

Writing to you and your GP

For all medical consultations, it is our standard practice to send a copy of the clinical notes, which include a short summary of the observations made during your consultation and any recommendations provided. These are contemporaneous records made at the time of your visit.

Clinic notes are usually sent by email within 7 days of your appointment. A separate password will be emailed to you for security. If you have not provided an email address, we will send your notes by post, and you should expect to receive them within 7 working days. If you have not received your notes after this time, please contact us so that a further copy can be issued.

We encourage all patients to provide consent for communication with their GP so that a copy of the clinic note can also be sent to them. This is important because the outcome of your consultation or treatments provided may have implications for your current or future health. Your care may be compromised if your GP is not informed of treatments or diagnoses made.

If you have agreed to GP communication, a copy of your clinic note will be sent to your GP by post within 5 working days of your appointment.

Please note that clinical notes are formal medical records and will not be amended or altered for any reason. If you believe a factual error has been made, you must inform us within 5 working days of receiving your notes. Where appropriate, an addendum may be issued, but the original note will remain unchanged.

If you require additional reports or letters (e.g. for an employer, university, or insurance purposes), we may be able to assist. Please contact us in advance to discuss your requirements. The price for additional reports and letters is in our fee schedule.

Sending us information ahead of your appointment

If you have sent us additional information relating to your concern before your appointment, such as reports, photographs, notes, correspondence from other doctors, blood results etc., then these will be filed in your records so they are available to your doctor at the time of your consultation.

These materials are reviewed at the time of your consultation as part of your consultation.

They are not reviewed in advance.

If you have submitted a substantial amount of materials that need to be reviewed (more than one A4 report or letter), we will contact you to purchase additional time for the review materials.

Obtaining results or other documents from external providers

You are advised to bring medical reports and results that you have had at other centres relevant to your appointment with you to your consultation. Should you wish to ask us to obtain these on your behalf, then a fee applies for this service which can be found on the fee schedule.

You will need to provide the correct data security clearances at all the centres you wish for us to contact on your behalf before engaging in this service. Unfortunately, no guarantee of obtaining results is provided, and the provision of results to us is at the discretion of your previous healthcare providers.

Please note that some NHS centres can take up to 28 days to release medical records as per data protection regulations.

Time frames

We will answer your queries as quickly as possible and endeavour to respond within 2 working days. If it is apparent that you require a follow-up consultation, you will be advised to book an appointment accordingly.

We will dispatch your clinic letter within 2 days if this is by email or 5 working days if this is by post. Your GP is copied in if you have provided the permissions, which takes 5 days to dispatch.

Repeat prescription requests will be assessed within 2 working days from when they are received. A repeat prescription is raised or dispatched within 2 working days of payment.

If you require blood tests before an appointment and you choose to have them elsewhere, then we ask you to book these in good time with your blood test provider.  We advise you to allow between one and two weeks’ notice for booking routine blood tests privately  – though you should check with the provider.

Private medical insurance

We offer services to patients under private medical insurance for skin lesions requiring diagnosis, and for suspected or confirmed skin cancers only. We do not offer other services, for example (but not limited to) hair loss (trichology), acne assessment or treatment, scar assessment or scar therapies, laser therapy, cosmetic procedures, or adult medical dermatology consultations (such as for rashes) under private medical insurance. We also do not offer children’s services under private medical insurance.

If you are not sure if you have a suspected or confirmed skin cancer and you are suitable for referral under private medical insurance then you should see your GP first.

Providing misleading information or falsified symptoms in order to obtain treatment that is not covered under your insurance policy, or not offered by us to insured patients, constitutes financial fraud. Such conduct breaches our  Zero Tolerance Policy and will result in the immediate cancellation of your appointment, liability for all associated fees, and potential removal from the clinic register.

It is your responsibility to contact your insurer before every appointment and confirm that your policy is current, provides adequate cover, and expressly includes the condition for which you are seeking treatment. Presentation of invalid insurance details breaches our  Zero Tolerance Policy and will result in the immediate cancellation of your appointment, liability for all associated fees, and potential removal from the clinic register.

If you are insured, and have an excess or shortfall, you will not be able to book a further appointment without clearing your outstanding balance.

Emergencies

We are not an emergency medical service. We ask you to contact your GP, A&E, 111 or 999 if you need emergency assistance.

Similarly, we ask you to plan your follow-up appointments and blood tests in good time to avoid interruption to your treatment.

Interpreters

If you cannot communicate in English and require a foreign language interpreter, please inform the administrative staff when you book any services with us. A professional interpreter will  be organised for your appointment.

A professional interpreter is required as they provide a degree of assurance around quality, accuracy, and confidentiality.

While there will be an additional cost to you, this is necessary as alternatives such as using family members to interpret may be selective with translations based on their own views of the patient’s condition or treatment options. And there is the possibility that they don’t understand English well enough to communicate complex medical information There are also some circumstances in which it would be inappropriate to involve family members.

Access

Please take a moment to review our access statement. The premises are not accessible for wheelchair users or anyone unable to climb stairs.

Options available for patients with mobility needs are as follows:

• Online video or telephone consultations, where clinically appropriate.
• Information about accessible local providers offering face to face dermatology or laser treatment.

Feedback and complaints

We welcome feedback, positive and negative. We are also very keen to find out about any suggestions you may have. You can speak to a member of staff or contact us in writing.

You can find out more about making a complaint here. Our complaints policy can be reviewed here.

As we are regulated by the CQC (Care Quality Commission), you can also leave feedback with the CQC here.

Children

The Clinic accepts patients under the age of 18y. Unfortunately, as there are no childcare facilities unless the appointment is for a child, please do not bring any children with you to appointments.

Arriving late

Please attend on time. We will do our best to see you if you attend late, though the time available with the doctor will be reduced. If you are more than 10 minutes late, then the doctor will probably not be able to see you out of respect for the patient booked after you, and you will need to rebook at your expense.

Zero tolerance

We have a zero-tolerance policy which you are encouraged to be familiar with.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” top_padding=”50″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][split_line_heading]

Cancellation and changes

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Repeat prescriptions

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Terms and conditions

This appointment guide should be read in connection with your full terms and conditions here.

Privacy Policy

Please review our privacy policy here

And finally…

We look forward to meeting you and would like to take this opportunity to thank you for choosing Midland Skin[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_column centered_text=”true” column_padding=”padding-5-percent” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ font_color=”#ffffff” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][/vc_column]