Skin surgery
We have three purpose-built skin surgery operating theatres where patients can receive a range of skin surgery treatments under local anaesthetic, ranging from simple excisions to complex flap and graft repairs.
Where to find us
RD&E Heavitree, Gladstone Rd, Exeter EX1 2ED
Department of Dermatology
Suspected skin cancers are referred to us via the two week wait system. Patients with suspected cancer are seen in dedicated clinics, with facilities for skin biopsy and simple skin excisions for lesions that require urgent treatment.
We have four GP led community services for treating skin cancer:
Meet the team
Clinical Lead
- Dr Helen Frow
Dermatology
- 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
Services and treatments
Most surgery for skin cancer is carried out in our own day case unit. Simple operations can sometimes be carried out on the day of your clinic appointment.
More complex skin cancers, such as those that have recurred after previous treatment, might require Mohs surgery, which we offer here. Mohs (named after the surgeon who created the procedure) involves removal of the skin cancer in stages. We test the skin that has been removed to see where the cancer cells are and to make sure that they are completely removed before we repair the area on your skin. Further information on Mohs surgery can be found here.
Supporting you
A skin cancer diagnosis and treatment can have a huge impact on your social and psychological wellbeing. It is important to tell your GP or dermatology doctor about this during your consultation if it is relevant for you so that we can signpost you for further help in this regard.
Locally, we work with Talkworks who can offer support and advice.
There are also links to support groups and resources for many skin conditions at the following website.
Changing Faces is a support group for people living with disfigurement.
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
Eastern services - additional leaflets
Care of your wound following diagnostic punch biopsy (RDE 19 229 001)PDF
Care of your stitched wound after your operation (RDE 19 137 001)PDF
Information for healthcare professionals
We have a dedicated section of the website for guidance, referral information and other useful information for Healthcare Professionals.