I qualified from Guys medical school, London picking up a BSc in Pathology along the way. My post graduate medical rotation was at St Marys Hospital, Paddington, London which included HIV and infectious disease. Post MRCP, my Dermatology training was at Bristol and Bath hospitals. I became heavily involved in skin parasitology, working in the ectoparasite department at the Bristol Veterinary school within the University of Bristol. I published several articles on drug resistance in human and animal skin parasites. I became a consultant Dermatologist in 2000 initially in Taunton, Somerset before moving to the Royal Devon & Exeter Foundation Trust hospital, Devon and I continue to practice clinical Dermatology in the South West of England.
I was regional skin cancer MDT chairperson and lead for over 10yrs for Mid and East Devon helping to implement the 2006 NICE skin cancer guidelines for our region. I created the first joint Rheumatology & Dermatology combined clinics for overlap patients in Exeter. I established the first research team in Dermatology department Exeter, funded through clinical trials participation. I was Principal Investigator for commercial and non-commercial clinical trials during my time there. With the emergence of biologics in Dermatology and with a head start in patient numbers compared to other UK units, I hosted a preceptorship program at Exeter for consultants and nursing looking to step into biologics prescribing.
I obtained a diploma in Prescription Medicines and left Exeter hospital to work as a part time Medical Officer for Galderma UK and Ireland and became immersed in the commercial pharmaceutical industry and their prescription and cosmetics portfolio including toxins and fillers. The rest of my time was spent developing a national community Dermatology service as clinical lead until 2020.
I remain clinical director of the South West regional laser centre at Exeter Medical for NHS and private patients. I continue to see mainly private patients now in Exeter and Truro, Cornwall as well as acting as a Dermatology advisor for the UK Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.
My main research interests are in psoriasis and skin cancer. I have, however, published over 100 peer reviewed article in medical journals and have contributed to phase 3 and phase 4 national and global clinical trials (both patients and as co-author) as well as acting as clinical Safety Officer for some clinical trials. I have published on psoriasis, eczema, contact dermatitis, paediatrics, infectious diseases, dermoscopy, teledermatology, drug resistance, lasers, cosmetic dermatology, skin cancer and therapeutics.
I regularly teach nurses and doctors regionally to improve Dermatology clinical practice in primary care. For many years I managed and nurtured local GPs with an interest in Dermatology, mentored non-consultant Dermatologists wishing to accredit as consultants through the CESR route and mentored nurses wishing to attain improved skills or higher qualifications. I obtained Peninsular Medical Students teaching badge, Sept 2005 and registrars training badge in 2010 acting as a clinical or educational supervisor for my trainees. I was a former examiner and lecturer of postgraduate doctors taking the University of Wales International Diploma in Dermatology for many years. I was an organiser the Clinical Assistants in Dermatology (CAM) national annual meeting 2005-2012 aimed at providing quality education to non-consultant Dermatologists in the UK. I continue to be invited to lecture nationally and internationally on psoriasis, lasers, biologics and dermoscopy.