Dermatology in East of England
A popular, vibrant specialty which is rapidly developing. It is principally 'medicine' based, although overlaps with many other disciplines within hospital specialties. All aspects of skin disorders are encountered and dealt with. The increased incidence of skin disease and tumours has led to greater demand for dermatology services by patients and general practitioners alike.
This demand is likely to remain high for the foreseeable future, especially as the United Kingdom has relatively few Consultant Dermatologists per head of the population compared with the rest of the developed world. Therefore, dermatology has a relatively secure demand-led future within the Health Service.
The United Kingdom is one of the leading countries in world Dermatology both in terms of professional standards and research into skin disease. The specialty is readily compatible with full-time or part-time employment giving considerable job satisfaction, professional reward and quality of life.
Attractions of the Specialty
It is an acute hospital-based medical specialty which is principally out-patient located, but also has in-patient involvement. The specialty covers the entire age range of patients and a high percentage of general practice consultations are dermatological. Within the hospital-based provision, there are a variety of interesting sub-specialties which are continuing to develop.
An in-depth knowledge of the skin is required in terms of physiology, anatomy, cell biology and pharmacology together with insight and experience in general internal medicine. Additional experience or interest in immunology, pathology, genetics, rheumatology, infectious diseases and GU medicine is helpful.
Exciting sub-specialties have evolved including: dermatological surgery/oncology/laser therapy, paediatric dermatology, photo-dermatology, contact dermatology/allergy/ occupational dermatology, genital dermatology and dermatopathology. Although all general dermatologists would include aspects of these in their routine work, many hospitals are creating sub-specialty specific services.
Introduction to the speciality from a trainee perspective, by Dr Louise Fuller
Training in Dermatology in the East of England offers a unique opportunity to combine excellent clinical experience in an environment where research is encouraged.
There are fourteen StR posts with their attached NTNs in the region.
There are four dermatology rotations based in either Cambridge, Norwich, Hertfordshire or Essex. Rotations based at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge link with Bury St Edmunds and King's Lynn, while the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital, Norwich rotation links to Ipswich, James Paget Hospital or King 's Lynn. The Hertfordshire rotation includes Watford, Luton and Cambridge with links to the Royal Free Hospital and rotations in Essex are based Chelmsford and Basildon