CLINICAL FAQS
Clinical FAQs
Answers about teledermatology, prescriptions, consultants, eligibility and how Instaderm works.
FAQs
Your questions answered
Do I ever need to travel to a clinic?
No. Our Remote Care (£120) and Hybrid Care (£200) tiers are managed entirely through our secure smartphone app. You can complete your consultation from the comfort of home.
Will my GP be informed of my diagnosis?
Yes. Every completed consultation includes an official consultant summary letter sent directly to you, which can be shared with your NHS GP for continuity of care.
How do I get my prescribed medication?
If treatment is appropriate, your consultant issues an electronic prescription (e-prescription) directly through the platform, which can be collected at any local pharmacy in the UK.
What are the turnaround times for each option?
Remote Care is completed in a target of 3 days. Hybrid Care (including a telephone call) is scheduled within a few weeks. In-person clinic visits at Spire Cambridge Lea Hospital are subject to waiting lists of a few months.
What is teledermatology? How does it work?
Teledermatology refers to the use of digital images to triage, diagnose, monitor or assess skin conditions remotely, i.e. without the patient being physically present. It is used increasingly within the NHS, since it allows patients to access dermatology services in a fast and flexible way. A Consultant Dermatologist will review your photos and medical questionnaire. They are able to provide treatment remotely (such as prescriptions).
How do I get my prescription?
We may give you an e-prescription. This can be activated at any pharmacy and paid for directly. The cost of any medication is not included within your assessment.
How do NHS Consultant Dermatologists have time to provide the services?
Whilst they have busy day-to-day roles within the NHS, they also work privately. Our service allows them to work flexibly and remotely, without having to spend time travelling to a private hospital.
What happens if you can’t make a full assessment?
Your Consultant Dermatologist may find that your photos and questionnaire lead to uncertainty. They may feel that a face-to-face review would allow a more comprehensive assessment. If that’s the case, they will provide you with an assessment, but also recommend that you book an in-person appointment at the Spire Lea Hospital in Cambridge, or at another private hospital closer to you. Alternatively, you will be able to contact your GP.
Who reviews my skin? Do you use AI?
A Consultant Dermatologist will review your photos and questionnaire. They will assess your skin and provide a letter for you and your GP with a skincare plan or suggested treatment. Consultant Dermatologists provide teledermatology within the NHS and have experience in assessing skin conditions remotely. We do not use AI to assess your skin.
What is a Consultant Dermatologist?
In line with the British Association of Dermatologists, in the NHS the term dermatologist, or consultant dermatologist, refers to medically qualified doctors who have obtained a higher qualification in general medicine. They have passed examinations to become a member of the Royal College of Physicians, and have trained specifically in dermatology. After successfully completing four years of training in a registered and supervised NHS dermatology registrar post, and passing the Dermatology Specialty Examination, a doctor can then be listed by the General Medical Council (GMC) as a specialist in dermatology. Many consultant dermatologists choose to have appointments at NHS hospitals rather than working privately and to work in the NHS they have to be on the specialist register for dermatology. To confirm if a doctor is on the specialist register you can search for their record using their name. This register is available online via the GMC website (https://www.gmc-uk.org/registration-and-licensing/our-registers). If someone is calling themselves a skin specialist or dermatological expert, it does not mean they are appropriately qualified, so it is always best to check.
Can I contact my doctor directly?
Yes, of course. You can send them a message through our secure app. You can even schedule a telephone follow-up consultation.
Do I get to choose my doctor?
No. Our doctors fit in their private work around their NHS commitments. By using a centralised patient system and a secure app, we allow you to be assessed faster. However, please be assured that you will be seen by an NHS Consultant Dermatologist.
Do you accept patients under 18?
Yes, some Consultant Dermatologists assess children and young people as well as adults. Dr Natasha Stembridge does see and assess children in her NHS role so can offer this privately too.
Do you accept patients outside of the UK?
No, for insurance reasons we cannot provide services to those outside of the UK.
Do you accept patients with insurance?
No, at this stage we only accept self-funded patients.
Why do you ask for my GP details?
As part of best practice, we ask that you provide your GP details as this means your GP can be kept up to date with any prescription that is provided to for continuity of care and safety reasons.
What is aftercare?
If you have a query within 30 days of your assessment, you can contact us via the messaging function on the app, at no extra charge. If you have a query after this time, please email us as this is outside the aftercare period.
What is a telephone consultation?
Perhaps you’d like to speak with your doctor directly after your assessment. You can simply select this option, and you will be able to book a call. Please note that there can be a wait of a couple of weeks. This will not delay your initial assessment which we aim to return to you within a few days of your submission.
Do you offer video consultations?
No, not currently. Our doctors will be able to make an assessment based on your photos and medical history as the resolution of the photos is checked when they are uploaded to make sure these are of sufficiently high quality. A video showing your skin would not be of sufficient quality for an assessment.
What is a skincare plan? How long does it last for?
You will receive a tailored skincare plan. It is designed to be a long-lasting regime that you can incorporate in your daily routine for many months.
When will I see improvements?
It may take several weeks to a month before you see visible improvement.
How do I buy my products?
You can order your products in-store or online at any pharmacy. There’s no need for a prescription.
How do you choose the products as part of a skincare plan?
Our Clinical Lead has selected a range of products that are suitable for skincare plans. These are across a variety of brands and contain active ingredients, such as niacinamide, vitamin C, azelaic acid, hyaluronic acid and retinol.
How do you protect my data?
Your photos, medical history and personal details are stored securely on Google Cloud servers in the UK.