Personal Profile
Dr Roy Palmer is a Consultant Dermatologist, specialising in skin cancer and general dermatological problems including eczema, acne, psoriasis, vitiligo, and benign skin lesions.
Training and Appointment
He studied pre-clinical medicine at Oxford University, where he also obtained a Degree in Physiological and was awarded an ‘Exhibition’. He studied clinical medicine at Guy’s & St. Thomas’s Hospitals, London. While he was a junior doctor, he realised the enormous impact that skin disease can have and he became attracted to dermatology, specialising in this subject in 1998. Four years later, in 2002, he qualified as a Consultant Dermatologist.
To gain further experience Dr Palmer subsequently worked for four years as a Senior Fellow at St. John’s Institute of Dermatology (in St. Thomas’ Hospital, London), an internationally renowned tertiary referral centre for skin disease. During this time, he conducted research into the effects of sunlight on skin, which resulted in a PhD. He has written many research papers and textbook chapters.
From 2007 until 2012 Dr Palmer was a Consultant at Heatherwood & Wexham Park Hospitals. He now works in Windsor and Guildford and takes pride in providing a high standard of care to his patients.
He maintains his skills by participating in local and national dermatology meetings and conferences, and through other forms of ‘Continuing Professional Development’. In accordance with regulations, he ‘revalidates’ (i.e. proves he is still fit to practice) every five years.
Current Practice
Of his patients, approximately half consult Dr Palmer about possible skin cancer, and half about other skin problems that include eczema, acne, psoriasis, vitiligo, and benign skin lesions.
He is aware of the severe effect that skin disease can have on people’s lives. Itch can be debilitating, and skin conditions can have a major effect on people’s self-confidence; medications (creams and tablets, and occasionally injections), and sometimes ultraviolet light (or ‘phototherapy’) are used to treat them. He performs surgery to remove small skin lesions (skin cancers, cysts, moles that need to be checked under the microscope or are causing a nuisance by catching). He takes biopsies to establish the nature of lesions, and the cause of rashes. Liquid nitrogen is used to treat warts, some types of sun damage, and other lesions.
He is recognised by all the major insurance companies. Dr Palmer listens to patients to understand their concerns and tailors treatment according to their preferences.
