We are a Tier-3 community dermatology service who have been dedicated to serving the dermatological needs of our community since 2012. Over the years, our service has flourished, evolving into a multidisciplinary team committed to delivering accessible and high-quality dermatology and surgical care to patients across East Kent. In 2012 the service offered one consultant from one location; we now see over 12,000 patients a year, from 6 locations with a team of 22 clinicians. Our ethos revolves around accessibility, quality, and compassion; ensuring that every patient who walks through our doors receives the attention and care they deserve.

www.kentdermatology.co.uk

Judges’ comments:

East Kent Community Dermatology work was impressive with how much they have achieved. The team story really comes through and the fact that 96% of patients would recommend to family and friends was extremely impressive. One of the judges said “I would want to work in this team”! the judges could feel the passion and enthusiasm jumping off the page. They provided an excellent description of outcomes and it was clear that teamwork is their cornerstone.

The Youth Panel are a group of young people (YP) (aged 16-25 years) with eczema who advocate and raise awareness of the experiences of YP living with eczema. Their work influences the development of EOS activities, services and those of the wider health care community so that no YP with eczema faces it alone:

“Young people’s voices are at the heart of Eczema Outreach Support, shaping the support we provide and the future direction of the organisation to ensure we continue to meet the needs of families affected by eczema and remain relevant to the changing needs of young people.”

’Life Changing’ are the words clinicians want to hear from patients. Therefore the RBH dermatology team consistently put patients at the forefront of all their care, embodying compassion and expertise. They are a dynamic and driven team of health-care professionals. Commitment extends beyond treatment with a focus on collaborative working with primary care, research, rheumatology, education, pharmacy and wellness for both patients and staff. Facing challenges , instrumental in service development. Successful innovations being GP Outreach; regular primary face to face education, nurse led and specialist pharmacist clinics with new initiatives to reduce tertiary referrals. Away and Team building days.

Established a little over 20 years ago, the Adult Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) Service at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital (GST) provides comprehensive multidisciplinary care for around 500 individuals. The team comprises core disciplines (specialist nursing, dermatology, dietetics, plastics, anaesthetics, hand and physiotherapy, psychotherapy, dentistry, ophthalmology) alongside other professionals throughout the Trust to deliver patients’ holistic healthcare needs in a comprehensive and focussed way. Based in the Rare Diseases Centre (RDC) at GST, the team have developed innovative ways to provide the right kind of care in a streamlined way to make every patient encounter the best it can be.

Our Severe Eczema Clinic (SEC) is a unique, multidisciplinary service for children and young people on systemic medication. Led by Professor Flohr since 2014, the SEC receives referrals from across the country. The SEC comprises outpatient clinics and multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings and includes Consultant Dermatologists, Specialty Registrars, Clinical Fellows, Clinical Nurse Specialists, a Clinical Psychologist, Research Practitioners and a Paediatric Dermatology Pharmacists. The wider SEC MDT includes Paediatric Allergy, Respiratory Medicine, Immunology, Sleep Medicine and Ophthalmology. We pride ourselves in delivering high quality care, which goes beyond the clinic, also running national educational programmes for patients, carers and colleagues.

Eczema Outreach Support (EOS) are unique as they are the only UK charity dedicated to helping children, young people with eczema and their families, offering free practical advice, one-to-one support, organising events, and advocating for the rights of children and young people with eczema, empowering them to take back control of their health, breaking the isolation many experience. Crucially, they recognise the importance of shaping their services based on the experiences of their members and working with health care professionals, educational professionals and researchers, with their purpose being that:

”Children and young people with eczema know they are not alone”