Dr Syreeta Daw
GP and GPwER In Dermatology & Skin Surgery, London Primary Care Dermatology Society Executive Committee Member, Co-Founder of The Blackwell Clinic – Private GP London
NHS dermatology services are facing unprecedented challenges due to long waits, high referral rates and lack of specialists, which ultimately impact patient care.
Skin disease is a significant health burden and represents one in four primary care consultations, despite primary care clinicians often receiving little to no dermatology training.
Dermatology education for healthcare professionals
For over 30 years, The Primary Care Dermatology Society (PCDS) has been a pivotal national organisation committed to enhancing the dermatology knowledge and skills of the primary care team. They empower practitioners to diagnose and manage dermatological conditions more effectively, thus improving patient outcomes and reducing the burden on specialist services.
The society represents the diverse healthcare team looking after patients in the community, including GPs, nurses, podiatrists, pharmacists and other allied healthcare professionals.
Education lies at the heart
of dermatology innovation.
Contributing towards dermatology education
Education lies at the heart of dermatology innovation, and the Society is committed to advancing dermatology education by providing a diverse and comprehensive range of resources and high-quality educational events. These include:
- The PCDS App: access to dermatology information and guidance at your fingertips, empowering clinicians to make informed decisions at the point of care.
- The PCDS Website: a fantastic resource with a plethora of information, including a diagnostic tool, an A–Z list of skin conditions and best practices.
- An annual conference with educational content (lectures and workshops) for the whole primary care team.
- National and international education events:
- General Dermatology and Skin Lesions – dermatology from scratch and essential dermatology courses
- Dermoscopy training courses (beginner to advanced)
- Annual International Dermoscopy Conference – delivered by international experts in the field of dermoscopy
- Royal College of Surgeons-accredited skin surgery courses
- Patient information leaflets and guides, such as what to look for when self-examining moles and skin lesions.
As the field of dermatology evolves, the Society remains a trusted source of dermatology education and expertise, guiding primary care providers towards excellence in dermatology practice.
