Expert treatment for skin problems, without the wait
If you are concerned about your skin, hair or nails, the team of highly experienced dermatologists at Mount Alvernia Hospital can help. If you are based in Guildford, Haslemere, Cranleigh, Horsham or further afield in Surrey or West Sussex, and would like to discuss your concerns, our consultants can advise on a full spectrum of treatment options to ensure you have the right one for you.
Dermatology is the study and treatment of the skin, hair and nails. A doctor who specialises in this area is known as a dermatologist.
Your skin provides you protection from the elements, synthesises vitamin D, and helps to regulate your body temperature. It is a remarkable organ and plays an important role in your health.
Your skin is the largest organ in your body and any type of damage to it can have a significant impact on your overall health, wellbeing and quality of life.
Unfortunately, there are a number of ways skin can be damaged, including:
Skin problems are very common and can affect all ages. If a problem occurs in a more visible place, such as on your face or an arm, you may find it has a surprisingly big impact on your self-confidence.
While some skin conditions can clear up naturally over time, many others will need professional medical treatment and management to successfully resolve symptoms.
If you are concerned or worried about any kind of skin problem, the best person to see for help will always be an accredited consultant dermatologist. Their training and expertise will enable them to assess and diagnose the problem and plan appropriate treatment for your specific needs.
The cost of private dermatology treatment at Mount Alvernia Hospital depends on the type of consultation, whether investigations are required and if treatment is provided during your appointment.
You can choose to fund your treatment through self-pay (paying for yourself) or use private health insurance. We work with most major providers, and our friendly advisory team can help guide you through using your cover.
Our flexible payment options help you spread the cost of your payment across a time period that suits you. We offer fixed-term monthly payment plans over one to five years with no deposit required. If you decide to pay over 10 months, you will pay interest-free. If you are paying for a longer period, you will pay 9.9% APR.
Your dermatology consultation is designed to be thorough, informative, and reassuring from the very start. It will usually begin with a detailed conversation about your symptoms (when they started, how they’ve changed, and whether anything seems to trigger or improve them).
Your dermatologist will also ask about your general medical history, any medications you’re taking, your family history of skin conditions, and any treatments you may have already tried. This helps build a complete picture of your skin health and ensures nothing important is missed.
Next, your dermatologist will carry out a careful examination of your skin. This may focus on one specific area or involve a broader skin check, depending on your concerns. In many cases, they will use a handheld magnifying device to look more closely at the skin’s structure and patterns. This allows them to assess changes that aren’t visible to the naked eye and often helps them make a diagnosis there and then.
For many patients, a clear diagnosis can be made during this first appointment, and your dermatologist will talk you through what the condition is, why it may have developed, and what it means for your health. If there’s any uncertainty or a need for more detailed information, further tests may be recommended. These can include a simple skin biopsy (where a small sample is taken under local anaesthetic) or, less commonly, blood tests to check for underlying causes.
Once a diagnosis is confirmed or strongly suspected, your dermatologist will explain your treatment options in a clear and patient-friendly way. This might include topical creams, medications, lifestyle advice, or minor procedures, depending on your condition. You’ll also be given guidance on what to expect next, including how long treatment may take to work and whether any follow-up appointments are needed.
An initial dermatology appointment at Mount Alvernia Hospital usually lasts between 30 and 45 minutes, depending on the complexity of your concerns. This allows sufficient time for discussion, examination, and explanation of findings and treatment options.
Follow-up appointments are often shorter, particularly if they are focused on reviewing treatment progress or test results. However, appointment length can vary if procedures are planned or if multiple skin issues need to be addressed.
Your dermatologist will ensure you have enough time to ask questions and understand your diagnosis, helping you feel confident about your care plan moving forward.
Some of the main dermatology treatments offered at Mount Alvernia Hospital are:
A skin lesion is an area of the skin that looks different to the surrounding skin. It can come in the form of a lump, sore, mole, wart or any other area that looks unusual. The procedure for a skin lesion removal will involve removing the area either by having it cut out, treated with creams, freezing or using heat, laser or light therapy.
You may consider this procedure if the lesion is causing you problems or is suspected to be cancerous. If the appearance of a skin lesion is affecting you, this procedure may help you feel more confident.
The procedure of a skin biopsy will involve your consultant cutting and removing a small sample of skin, which will be tested to help diagnose diseases like skin cancer, infections or other skin conditions.
There are various types of skin biopsy: shave biopsy, excisional biopsy, punch biopsy and incisional biopsy. It is important to note while shave biopsies will not usually need stitches, the other types of biopsies may be closed using sutures or steri-strips.
Moles are a form of pigmented lesion. Moles are removed if they have an abnormal growth and are suspected to be cancerous. Non-cancerous moles can simply be left alone, however if the appearance of your mole is bothering you, then this may be another reason for why you could consider mole removal.
Mole removal will be done under local anaesthetic, numbing the area around the mole. The mole will then be removed and sent for testing. If the results show the mole to be cancerous, further areas of skin may be removed.
Nail avulsion is a procedure where the nail is removed partially or entirely from the nail bed. This procedure can be done on your finger or toe nails and may be considered for various reasons such as: treating recalcitrant, treating long-standing fungal infections of the nail or acute bacterial infections, along with being used to assess the stability of the nail bed after a traumatic nail injury.
It is important to note after the procedure you have to keep the area covered and may need to be cared for several months while the new nail grows.
A lipoma is a lump under the skin happens due to an overgrowth of fat cells. Lipomas can occur anywhere on the body where there are fat cells present, however you will usually find them on the shoulders, chest, trunk, neck, thighs, and armpits. In some rare cases, they may also be found on internal organs, bones, or muscles.
The procedure of having a lipoma removed may be beneficial if it is causing you pain, complications, or if you are not happy with the cosmetic appearance of it.
Our consultant dermatologists are experienced in the treatment of a wide variety of skin conditions, including eczema, psoriasis, acute rashes, acne, rosacea, varicose dermatitis and sun damage.
If you are worried you may have skin cancer, or have a diagnosis and need specialist care, our dermatologists can support you throughout your treatment journey, referring onwards to oncologists or other surgeons across our private hospital as appropriate.
When you choose to go private with Circle Health Group, you can expect:
Going private for healthcare provides faster access to a vast range of treatment options, greater flexibility in choosing specialists, and more personalised care.
To book your initial consultation with one of our dermatologists near you, use our online booking system, or give us a call and one of our dedicated advisors will help you find an appointment time that suits you.
Yes, you can see a private dermatologist at Mount Alvernia Hospital without a GP referral. Self-referral is welcomed and allows you to take control of your health by booking an appointment directly.
This can be particularly helpful if you are experiencing new or worsening symptoms, are concerned about a mole or lesion, or would like reassurance from a specialist. It also allows you to avoid delays that can sometimes occur when waiting for referrals.
If you have already been referred by your GP or another healthcare professional, just let us know at the time of booking.
Reception: 01483 570122
Mon-Sun: 7am - 9pm
Visiting hours: 9am - 9pm
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