Phototherapy

We run a daily phototherapy service. It is used to treat a range of skin conditions, such as psoriasis and eczema.

Patients stand in a walk-in light cabinet lined with fluorescent light bulbs. The majority of patients attending phototherapy in our department are receiving Ultraviolet B (UVB) phototherapy. Ultraviolet B is present in natural sunlight.

Our phototherapy service is available from 7.15am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. 

Information and about us

The time spent in the cabinet depends on your skin condition and varies from person to person. Treatments are generally given 2-3 times a week for 12-16 weeks.

Treatments last up to 10 minutes, with the total visit taking up to half an hour. The total length of a treatment course will depend on your response and the specific skin condition being treated.

Further information about UVB treatment can be found here.

Sometimes the light treatment is combined with a special soak or bath, this is called Topical PUVA.

Oral PUVA is when a special tablet is taken prior to the light treatment. Find out more here.

Contact us

If you want to get in touch with the department, please contact us on 01392 405510.

Where to find us

RD&E Heavitree, Gladstone Rd, Exeter EX1 2ED

Department of Dermatology

Specialist community dermatology services for the area are based at Tiverton, Exmouth, and Sidmouth. They can manage a wide range of dermatology conditions. The services are run by GPs who also work alongside us in the dermatology department at Heavitree.

We also run consultant led community services at Barnstaple, Tiverton and Axminster.

Meet the team

Clinical Lead

  • Dr Helen Frow

Dermatology

Consultants: 
  • Dr Peter Acheson
  • Dr Yusur Al-Nuami
  • Dr Rebecca Batchelor
  • Dr Chris Bower
  • Dr Alistair Brown
  • Dr Carolyn Charman
  • Dr Hannah Cookson
  • Dr Helen Frow - Clinical Lead
  • Dr Naomi Goldstraw
  • Dr Tom Lucke
  • Dr Emily McGrath
  • Dr Yong Oon
  • Dr Rachel Wachsmuth
  • Dr Penelope Williams

 

Associate Specialists

  • Dr William Willcock
  • Dr Josephine Wheeler

 

Specialty Doctors

  • Dr Charlotte Carmichael
  • Dr Helen Crighton
  • Dr James Wood
  • Dr Andrew Rosewarne
  • Dr Ayesha Shahid

 

Specialist Trainees

  • Dr John Frewen
  • Dr Catarina Quaresma

 

Dermatology pharmacist

Anh Nguyen

 

Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Team

  • Claire Facey – Lead CNS
  • Jo Short
  • Kate Allington
  • Rebecca Willoughby
  • Kevin Mitchell

 

Nursing Staff and Health Care Assistants (HCA)

  • Ria Taylor - Matron for Dermatology
  • Tracey Alford – Clinical Nurse Manager
  • Clare Parkinson - Senior Surgical Nurse Practitioner
  • Claire McKenna - Surgical Nurse Practitioner
  • Grace Campbell - Sister
  • Laura Warne – Sister
  • Heather Bolt - Clinical nurse specialist
  • Sue Dyke - Clinical nurse specialist
  • Kyle Poblacion - Clinical nurse specialist
  • Hooi Inn Neoh-Solman - Surgical Nurse Practitioner
  • Victoria Roderick - Surgical Nurse Practitioner
  • Romina Abuzatoaiei - Staff Nurse
  • Sam Saupe - Staff nurse
  • Patricia Garcia Arroyo - Surgical Nurse Practitioner
  • Kim Hill - Staff Nurse
  • Jayde Butler - Assistant Practitioner
  • Reynaldo Almazora - Senior HCA
  • Myrna Base - Senior HCA
  • Mandy Spinks - Senior HCA
  • Jo Thompson - Senior HCA
  • Bev Alford - HCA
  • Jo Vincent Senior HCA
  • Neela Hilton - HCA
  • Julie Beecroft - HCA
  • Danielle Hickman – Biologics Coordinator

 

Management and Admin team

  • Rachel Brooks,  Cluster Support Manager
  • Shirley Rickard, Admin Service Manager
  • Katy Watson, Team Lead & Waiting List Coordinator
  • Karen Hill, Team Lead & Waiting List Coordinator
  • Zoe Connor - Slot Administrator
  • Anne Jones, Team Lead & Medical Secretary
  • Karen Baker, Team Lead & Medical Secretary
  • Julie Tonkins, Medical Secretary
  • Ellen Hunt, Medical Secretary
  • Zoe Tippett, Medical Secretary
  • Rita Moore, Booking Clerk
  • Donna Tregale - Reception 
  • Joh Ryder - Clerical officer

Supporting you

There are two main national support groups for people living with psoriasis:

Patient information leaflets

The British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) have produced a number of patient information leaflets (PILs) to help you understand more about a particular skin condition.

They inform you what the condition is, what causes it, what can be done about it and where you can find out more information about it. Where possible, they advise you on what you can do yourself on a day-to-day basis to help with your skin condition. 

For accessibility queries related to different formats including large print, please visit the British Association of Dermatologists Skinhealth website.

Browse Patient Information Leaflets

Information for healthcare professionals

We have a dedicated section of the website for guidance, referral information and other useful information for Healthcare Professionals.

Find out more

Last updated: March 21, 2023.