Dermatology at Christchurch Hospital
Service Overview
The Dermatology Resource Unit (DRU) is based on the Christchurch site. The service delivers a full range of medical and surgical treatments using four fully equipped minor operation theatres, three clinical treatment rooms and a phototherapy suite.
Patients are seen primarily in Christchurch Hospital Outpatients Department, for their initial consultation. They may then be referred for investigations/treatment. The full nursing complement undertakes a range of day treatments, the running of the methotrexate and biologic medicine clinics, leg ulcer clinic, and phototherapy, patch testing, iontophoresis, and dermatology paediatric services.
The dermatology team also manage inpatients on the Bournemouth site.
Contact us
Our Address:
Dermatology Resource Unit
Christchurch Hospital
Fairmile Road
Christchurch
BH23 2JX
Map of Christchurch Hospital – Dermatology Department highlighted in purple
Rearranging or cancelling an outpatient appointment
Rearranging or cancelling a new patient appointment
- Please call the following number: 0300 019 4738 (choose option 2)
Rearranging or cancelling a follow up appointment
- Please call the following number: Follow up patients: 0300 019 4738 (choose option 3)
Rearranging or cancelling an appointment for surgery
We strongly recommend you communicate any dates you cannot make to us at the earliest opportunity and aim to keep your original date for surgery where possible.
Rearranging or cancelling a surgical appointment
- Please call the following numbers to speak to our surgical admissions team:
0300 019 5253 [please note: this phone line is manned between 08:30-16:30]
0300 019 5486 [please note: this phone line is manned between 08:30-16:30]
Secure image transfer service
Patients
Address
Christchurch Hospital
Fairmile Road
Christchurch
BH23 2JX
Tel. 01202 486361
Where we hold our outpatient appointments
Please read your appointment letter carefully as we see patients in two locations for dermatology outpatient appointments.
If your letter says:
The Outpatient Department looks like:
The closest car park to the Outpatients Department is Car Park A.
If your letter says:
The Dermatology Resource Unit looks like:
The closest car park to the Dermatology Resource Unit (DRU) is Car Park E which is directly opposite the entrance to DRU
Before your appointment
Please bring with you details of all medications you are taking or have taken in the recent past, either for your skin or for any other condition you may have. This should include prescriptions from your doctor or other specialist, any alternative or herbal remedies and anything you have bought over the counter.
At your appointment
Your first appointment may take up to an hour. We make every effort to see you on time, but delays may occur so please allow plenty of time.
The clinician will take a full history and conduct an examination. In order to properly assess your skin problem, you may be asked to undress so that all your skin, not necessarily just the area(s) affected, can be examined. You will automatically be offered a chaperone should any intimate area of your body need examination, but in addition, please feel free to request a chaperone at any other time for any or all of the consultation.
We may request your permission to take photographs, to help form part of your clinical record or for reference in helping identify specific areas that may require treatment, such as skin surgery. These images will be stored electronically by the Hospital and shared with clinical personnel only when necessary.
It may be necessary to do additional investigations during your appointment including blood tests, skin sampling and/or skin biopsy. In these circumstances you will be provided with further detailed information.
After your appointment
If the doctor/nurse decides you need treatment, a letter will be sent to you and your GP providing a summary of your appointment outcome and explaining which medicines you may need prescribed.
Referrals
All GP referrals must be submitted using the NHS e-Referral service (formerly 'Choose and Book').
Referrals sent by post from GPs will not be processed.
Dermatology videos
Team Dermatology are currently working on some informational videos – please check back soon!
