The Dermatology Service in West Wales provides specialist care across a large, geographically dispersed, and predominantly rural population. The service manages a broad range of dermatological conditions, including suspected and confirmed skin cancers, chronic inflammatory skin diseases, and complex dermatological cases that require assessment and treatment by experienced and highly skilled clinicians. Demand for dermatology services continues to increase, driven by rising skin cancer incidence, an ageing population, and the growing complexity of patients requiring specialist care.
This post is essential to support the continued delivery of safe, effective, and timely dermatology services across the region. The successful candidate will join a dedicated, experienced, and multidisciplinary team committed to providing high-quality patient-centred care for the population of West Wales. The role will contribute significantly to maintaining service capacity, reducing waiting times, improving patient access to specialist assessment, and supporting the delivery of national and local performance targets.
The appointment of this post will strengthen the sustainability and resilience of the Dermatology Service, ensuring continued delivery of high-quality care to patients across West Wales while supporting future service transformation and innovation within the specialty.
The post holder will undertake a diverse and rewarding clinical role across the full spectrum of dermatology services, with particular responsibility for the diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing management of patients with inflammatory skin diseases and skin cancer. Working as part of a highly skilled multidisciplinary team, post holder will provide expert clinical assessment and management for a wide range of dermatological conditions, ensuring patients receive high-quality, evidence-based care in a timely and compassionate manner.
The role will include the delivery of outpatient dermatology clinics for patients presenting with both routine and complex dermatological conditions. This will involve the assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and long-term management of chronic inflammatory disorders. The post holder will be expected to work collaboratively with primary care colleagues and other specialties to ensure coordinated and patient-centred care pathways.
A significant component of the role will focus on skin cancer services, including the assessment and management of patients referred through urgent suspected cancer pathways. Responsibilities will include the diagnosis of malignant and pre-malignant skin lesions, formulation of treatment plans, patient counselling, and participation in surveillance and follow-up clinics. Post holder will contribute to achieving national cancer targets by supporting timely access to specialist assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.
Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.
We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.
We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.
Our services are provided in:
Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest
Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire
Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings
47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 97 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers
Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services
Dedicated minor operative procedure sessions will form part of the job plan, enabling the post holder to undertake a range of dermatological procedures within their clinical competence. This may include diagnostic biopsies, excisions of skin lesions, curettage, and other minor surgical interventions. The role will support the delivery of efficient patient pathways by providing treatment closer to home and reducing the need for onward referral where appropriate.
The post holder will play an active role in clinical triage processes, reviewing referrals to ensure patients are directed to the most appropriate service and prioritised according to clinical urgency. This will contribute to effective demand management, improved patient flow, and optimal utilisation of available clinic capacity.
Participation in teledermatology and teledermoscopy services will be a key element of the role, supporting innovation in patient care and enabling earlier assessment of suspected skin cancers and other dermatological conditions. The post holder will provide specialist interpretation of clinical and dermoscopic images, facilitating timely diagnosis and reducing unnecessary patient travel across the rural geography of West Wales.
The successful candidate will be expected to contribute fully to multidisciplinary team (MDT) working, including regular attendance at Skin Cancer MDT meetings and collaboration with colleagues. MDT participation is essential to ensuring high-quality clinical decision-making, effective treatment planning, and the delivery of integrated care for patients with complex conditions.
In addition to clinical duties, the post holder will have opportunities to contribute to the ongoing development and transformation of dermatology services. This may include involvement in quality improvement initiatives, service redesign projects, pathway development, audit activity, and implementation of innovative models of care aimed at improving patient experience, clinical outcomes, and service efficiency.
The role will also include a commitment to clinical governance, continuing professional development, teaching, and supervision where appropriate. The post holder will contribute to maintaining high standards of clinical practice and support the development of medical, nursing, and allied health professional colleagues within the service.
Overall, this post provides an excellent opportunity to contribute to a progressive dermatology service that is committed to delivering safe, sustainable, and high-quality care for the population of West Wales.
You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.
The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.
The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.
Please see the below links for useful videos relating to this vacancy:
Hywel Dda 3 Counties - https://youtu.be/RUMDpjtu1sY
Lifestyle in Wales - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vgt03XPT6RQ
Medical Leadership in Hywel Dda - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLioZyqIpwk&t=33s
Virtual Tour - https://youtu.be/Y4JGdD6EHjE
