A question that we are often asked at the clinic:
The simple answer is no, a GP referral is not necessary. Many of our patients do come to us with a referral from their GP, but it is not a requirement. We are medically registered to be able to treat you if you self-refer to us.
“There is an increasing prevalence of skin cancers in the UK, so non-suspicious (benign) moles are very rarely removed on the NHS. To get a benign mole removed, you would almost always need to do so privately and will be charged a fee.” (Source: NHS UK)
At the Skin Surgery Clinic, consultations and procedures are always carried out by a GP or a Consultant. There will be no difference in the level of care that you will receive and the information that you will be given about your mole, whether you go to your own GP or come and see us, except perhaps that our Doctors have a special interest in skin concerns and see a greater number of moles in their daily practice.
There will be no change to your future eligibility of free NHS services if you choose to seek private treatment for mole removal.
Why choose to access private treatment for mole removal?
Patients come to us directly because they know that we will be able to remove a mole if it is benign (harmless). Most of the patients that we treat will have their moles removed either by a Class 4 medical grade laser (a piece of specialist laser equipment that leaves little or no scarring) or by surgical excision without having to access a GP appointment at all. Many of our patients choose us because of our convenient appointment times, expert medical team and the clinic facilities.
If patients want the extra security of knowing in all fact that a mole is 100% free of any cancer cells, we are able to send moles that have been surgically excised for testing (histology). This is a rare occurrence because we are almost always able to reassure our patients that moles are non-suspicious (benign) during the visual consultation process.
Our GPs and Consultants all work for the NHS as well as privately. Because of this, they are all extremely well trained in current NHS guidelines and communication between our Doctors and your own GP is upheld rigorously. If a mole appears to be suspicious in any way, you will not be treated and will be referred back to your own GP for thorough evaluation and treatment if necessary.
Moles are generally removed for cosmetic reasons, because they are large, unsightly or positioned on a visible area (e.g the face). We have a high level of experience in the removal of facial moles and our patients are reassured when they see our clinic images of the results that we can achieve, with little or no scarring. Please ask to see our portfolio of ‘before and after’ images at the clinic or you can access the gallery on our website at www.skinsurgeryclinic.co.uk.
To make an appointment for a consultation or treatment with one of our trained Nurses or Doctors, please call 01943 882011 or email info@skinsurgeryclinic.co.uk.
The Skin Surgery Clinic is a division of Good Skin Days Ltd, in Guiseley, Leeds.
