Dr. Downs & Dr. Bower go virtual for online conferences & webinars

In addition to seeing and treating patients, as the world adjust to the 'new normal' post COVID-19, Dr. Anthony Downs & Dr. Christoper Bower have been busy co-hosting and providing lectures online for:

British Association of Dermatologist 100th annual meeting

The British Association of Dermatologist 100th annual meeting was launched as a virtual conference on 1st September.

Dr. Anthony Downs & Dr. Christopher Bower both recorded lectures for this yearly meeting with online attendees both from the UK and worldwide.

The meetings enable dermatologist to share practical tips on managing patients and learn about break through treatments and research. The virtual platform lacked the human element that allows for challenge and debate, but it keeps the momentum of continuous professional development that is so important for all healthcare professional who work in the field of dermatology.

SCE: Dermatology Registrars' Meeting

Dr. Anthony Downs & Dr. Christopher Bower also co-hosted the SCE Dermatology Registrars Meeting as a live webinar conference in August. The event was sponsored by Jansen-Cilag and badged by the British Association of Dermatologists.

A lot of organisation and technical planning went into hosting this on-line webinar, driven by the current pandemic circumstance, but the meeting was well attended and went smoothly.

The meeting helps dermatology trainees pass their exam on the way to becoming dermatology consultants.

Dr. Downs & Dr. Bower have run this revision course for 10 years and it is extremely well regarded quality event and always over-subscribed.

Running these type of events, both on location and/or online, ensure our dermatologist keep up-to-date and one step ahead of the Royal College of Physicians who set the challenging and difficult exam each year.

Updated: Wednesday 7 April 2021

In the aftermath of Boris Johnson's latest statement on the measures we all need to take during the conditional easing of social distancing South West Dermatology are keen to ensure our patient well-being and safety is at the forefront of our services and offer a range of options to cater for all existing and new patients.

Patients with serious dermatology conditions needing urgent treatment

Urgent cases suspicious of skin cancer can be seen at The Medical Eye Centre in Marsh Barton or Exeter Medical at Admiral House. Both healthcare locations offer a protected environment and adhere to all social distancing regulations and procedures.

In the first instance please contact Dr. Downs' PA, Ros on 07838 293968 to arrange your appointment and on-going treatment.

Routine and urgent dermatology skin conditions including skin surgery

Dr. Tony Downs is able to see and treat patients with dermatology condition at The Medical Eye Centre in Marsh Barton or Exeter Medical at Admiral House. Both healthcare locations offer a protected environment and adhere to all social distancing regulations and procedures.

In the first instance please contact Dr. Downs' PA Ros on 07838 293968 to arrange your appointment and on-going treatment.

Patients wishing to continue with teledermatology and remote dermatology video consultations

For less urgent cases, those who continue to shield at home and general dermatological related conditions Dr. Downs will continue to offer remote video consultations and teledermatology consultations for as long as required or requested by patients.

Patients can also use our online form to upload photos of their condition for assessment by Dr. Downs from the comfort of their own home.

All patients can be seen and treated with or without a GP referral.

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to get in contact with Ros on 07838 293968 to discuss your available options.

The South West Dermatology team are here to care for you during the social distancing because your health is important too.

Dr Tony Downs offers advice for patients with dermatological conditions in relation to the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Patients taking medication for their condition

Covid19 may theoretically result in a more severe infection in patients that take a medication where an annual flu vaccination is routinely recommended.

In Dermatology, this would be:

Azathioprine, ciclosporin, methotrexate, mycophenolate, fumaric acid esters, apremalist and biologic agents for psoriasis or hidradenitis (but not for eczema).

New or existing patients should be aware and consider stopping/suspending or deferring treatment to a later date, with the understanding that their skin condition will most likely deteriorate.

Patients with dry scaly skin conditions

Over and above government advice on hand washing and reducing coronavirus transmission, people with dry scaly skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis may wish to follow the additional advice:

1. There is no evidence that dry scaly skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis are more likely to acquiring or transmit coronavirus
    
2. Topical medications such as emollients or steroids should not be shared between individuals. There is no evidence to suggest their regular use on the skin increases the risk of acquiring or transmitting coronavirus. However, wash your hands before you apply your treatment creams to your skin.
    
3. Alcohol gel and frequent soap and water hand washing will aggravate some people with hand eczema. To reduce the need to hand wash, wear disposable non-powdered gloves, but change them if your hands become sweaty underneath the gloves. Also carry around your own hand cream to moisturise your hands after you have washed them.
    
4. Soap substitutes may not be as good as ordinary soap at killing coronavirus when hand washing.

Dr Downs is able to see patients remotely via a private phone/video consultation during this pandemic.