Highly commended in BMJ awards

We're delighted that the paediatric dermatology team here at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust was highly commended in The BMJ Awards 2018. 

The team’s application  tells the story of how dermatology services at Nottingham were about to collapse a few years back due to the decision by local commissioners to award the contract for adult dermatology services to a private provider—a change that resulted in the loss of 9 out of 11 consultants.

The only two consultants still working for the local trust were were Dr Jane Ravenscroft (Honorary assistant professor at CEBD) and Professor Hywel Williams (Co-director of CEBD). The paediatric service struggled to cope, having to duplicate all of the dermatology services that people with skin problems need such as ultraviolet light and patch testing and skin biopsies.    

Dr Ravenscroft and the paediatricians had the brilliant idea of moving paediatric dermatology into the Children’s Hospital – more appropriate for children and young people. The change was accompanied by the appointment and training of clinical fellows and three paediatricians with an interest in skin disease. Another dermatologist (Dr Kyle Tang) has also joined the team. Children and young people get a better deal as a result—dermatologists who are more aware of general paediatric problems, and paediatricians who have become skilled in managing skin conditions. All of this would not have been possible without the support of a fantastic team of “can do” nurses and secretaries working flexibly and creatively to make it all happen for the benefit of children and their families.