Skin

Skin

The skin cancer nursing and support team provides information, help and education to people affected by skin cancer, as well as their family and friends.  They work across the dermatology and plastics teams in County Durham and Darlington, liaising with surgeons, oncologists, dermatologists and other specialists who may be involved in your treatment and care.

The team is made up Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) and a Cancer Care Coordinator.  They are based at the University Hospital of North Durham but also deliver clinics at Bishop Auckland Hospital, Chester le Street Community Hospital, Darlington Memorial Hospital, Sedgefield Community Hospital, Shotley Bridge Community Hospital, South Tyneside Hospital and Sunderland Royal Hospital.

Ways the team can help:

• Explaining a diagnosis and treatment in detail
• Listening to any worries or fears people diagnosed with skin cancer may have
• Being the first point of contact for patients and health professionals regarding diagnosis, treatment and care
• Delivering follow up clinics after treatment
• Supporting people affected by cancer to identify their worries or concerns and helping them to get the right support, for example with emotional, practical, social, financial or spiritual issues
• Offering practical advice with issues including sun protecting and checking your body and skin

Contact Information

Sara Alderson - Plastics Clinical Nurse Specialist in Skin

Emma Weatherburn - Plastics Clinical Nurse Specialist in Skin

Kerry Osborne - Dermatology Clinical Nurse Specialist in Skin

Helen Potts - Skin Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist

Lead Clinicians - Mr Richard Chalmers (Plastics) and Dr Maneesha Vatve (Dermatology)

Their usual working hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm (excluding bank holidays) and they can be contacted on 0191 333 2307.  An answerphone service is available; please leave a message together with your name and a contact number so that one of the team can return your call.