Dr Marta Jackowiak – Dermatology Specialty Doctor

My name is Marta Jackowiak. I come from Poland originally, but Shropshire has been my home since 2006. I joined the Dermatology team at RSH in December 2016 as a Specialty Doctor. I’m a former GP and currently all my work involves Dermatology. Part of my working week involves skin surgery. I have also trained in Paediatrics in the past and very much enjoy seeing our younger patients. I feel that my GP background helps me provide holistic care to my patients.

Dr Mareen Jacob – Dermatology Specialty Doctor

After completing my Dermatology training in India, I worked as a Dermatologist at a reputable tertiary care hospital for four years gaining valuable expertise in diagnosing and managing a wide range of inflammatory and infectious skin conditions.

In December 2021, I began my Dermatology career in the UK at the Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Hospital Trust, joining as a Specialty Doctor. I have been actively involved in managing patients with skin cancers, inflammatory skin conditions and performing minor surgical procedures as part of their treatment.

During my training , I undertook a research project on foot eczema and evaluation of patch testing in the patients. This experience enhanced my expertise and strengthened my skills in evidence-based practises.

I have a keen interest in inflammatory skin diseases like eczema , psoriasis, and acne management.

I am committed to staying up to date with the latest research and treatment modalities within the field of Dermatology. I am passionate about teaching and learning and believe in sharing knowledge for the benefit of both patients and colleagues.

I believe in teamwork, both within the department and as a part of the Trust and am committed to deliver the highest standards of patient care.

Dr Keli Thorsteinsson – Locum Consultant Dermatologist

I am originally from Iceland but I came over to the UK in 1996, after completing my full registration as a doctor to specialize within medicine. I originally trained in general surgery and anaesthetics, followed by a stint in General Practice, before settling on the best speciality of all: Dermatology. I have been working full time in secondary care dermatology for about 12 years now, and was lucky enough to be appointed as a Locum Consultant at the hospital last year. 

I enjoy all aspects of dermatology, including general, paediatric and acute dermatology in the hospital setting. My sub-specialist interest is in the diagnosis and management of skin cancer, including skin surgery and facial reconstruction.

The department is working towards strengthening our involvement in research, for the benefit of our population. I am currently the local Principal Investigator for the national HEALS 2 study, which aims to find out whether healing after skin cancer surgery on the lower leg can be hastened with medical compression therapy.

Sister Helen Childs – Dermatology Clinical Nurse Specialist and Clinic Manager

Hello, my name is Helen and I have been nursing for over 20 years. My nursing career has covered acute medicine, oncology, and community nursing and in 2017, I joined the Dermatology team. Presently, I run the nurse led paediatric eczema clinics, biologics and systemic clinics for patients suffering with conditions such as psoriasis, I also cover our acne and Isotretinoin clinics and our minor ops service too.

My job predominantly is to educate people about their skin conditions and enable them to be proactive about how to treat their condition.

The burden of skin conditions is massive and affects all patients (and their family/partners) differently from dictating what clothes they wear to avoiding activities like swimming, affecting the quality of their sleep to educational and work life potential.

By delivering effective education, enabling the patients to take control of their disease and improve their lifestyle choices to some extent is thoroughly rewarding. I love my job when patients feedback that the condition has improved or that they don’t consider themselves to have skin condition anymore that tells me that we have done our job.  The skin after all is our largest organ, we should take care of it.

Every day is a school day in Nursing, and I love playing a part in improving my patient’s quality of life.

Samantha Noakes – Dermatology Skin Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)

Hello, my name is Sam and I qualified as a registered nurse at University of Chester in 2018. I began my career working on surgical wards but then started working with dialysis patients in 2020. I really enjoy continuity of care and building therapeutic relationships with my patients. My background in renal helped me understand how a skin condition can really debilitate someone’s mental and physical health.

I started working in Dermatology in August 2023 and since then my role has progressed to Skin Cancer Nurse Specialist. Currently I see patients in clinic and in our minor procedures room. If you have been diagnosed with a Skin Cancer you will likely see me at some point or possibly throughout your whole journey with us!

Primarily I do Skin Cancer follow ups where I will see how you are doing and check your skin. I also work with our lead Skin Cancer Consultant Dr Oliwiecki where we discuss results with you.  I enjoy getting to know my patients and I am always happy to answer any skin related concerns.

Tracy Rowson – Dermatology Nurse

Hello, my name is Tracy.

I have worked for SaTH since 1982 when I started on the old YTS scheme, then becoming auxiliary nurse before qualifying as a Registered General Nurse in August 1982. I have spent the majority of post registration career working in Gynaecology, covering many different aspects of this speciality including Ward and Unit Manager, early Pregnancy Nurse Specialist and Post-Menopausal Triage Nurse.

I started working in Dermatology in October 2020. I had many transferable skills going into a new speciality but also a steep learning curve especially in Dermatology terminology.

Since starting in Dermatology my main roles are supporting the general clinics, I also work in our Minor Operative room where we undertake surgical procedures to either treat or diagnose various skin conditions including cancer.

I completed the Phototherapy in Cardiff course to be able to deliver regular sessions within our department. This is something I enjoy as the patients attend for a few weeks and you get to know them well and see the positive effects that Phototherapy can have on many different types of skin conditions.

I also work regularly in the Isotretinoin clinics we undertake for the treatment of Acne.

Many of the skin conditions we treat are a lifetime illness and can affect both the physical and psychological wellbeing of our patients and it is extremely satisfying as a health professional to be able to support patients through the treatments.

On one of the feedback forms for one of my patients completing treatment for acne said the following:

“The effective treatment over the last seven months has given me the confidence I have lacked for so many years and I feel the Dermatology team want you to become the best version of yourself you can.”

This type of feedback and response to treatment inspires me continue to improve and do what I do each day.

Andrea Hughes – Dermatology Nurse

Hello, my name is Andrea. I trained in Shropshire at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt hospital Oswestry. I started my nursing career in theatres as a scrub nurse where I worked for 14 years. After this, I worked in the private sector at the Nuffield hospital in Shrewsbury before returning to the NHS in 2020.

I started working in Dermatology in September 2020, and I have enjoyed my position as a Dermatology Staff Nurse ever since. I successfully finished a phototherapy course during that period, allowing me to run my own clinic and provide ultraviolet light therapies (PUVA and narrow-band UVB) for skin conditions including psoriasis. Additionally, I enjoy running a Paediatric Eczema Education Clinic once a week at both RSH and PRH. Every week I also participate in an isotretinoin clinic and occasionally help our doctors out with minor surgeries.

The Dermatology Clinic staff are currently supported by 4 medical secretaries and 1 administration assistant. Between them they have over 20 years’ experience working in the NHS.

When a patient in dermatology has general questions, they are typically the first to contact. They also help patients get in touch with particular clinicians within the clinical team. For the dermatology clinical team, their support is crucial.

Other administrative and secretarial tasks may consist of:

• Patient letter typing
• Arranging meetings and taking minutes
• Managing diaries
• Dealing with post and emails
• Creating and updating spreadsheets and databases

Lead Dermatology Secretary – Nicole Cowlishaw
Dermatology Secretary – Clare Brown
Dermatology Secretary  – Danielle Walker
Dermatology Secretary – Sarah Hill
Dermatology Secretary – Tracey Grant
Administration Assistant Dermatology – Bob Oakley
Administration Assistant Dermatology – Helen Rogers

Please note: It is Trust policy that they are unable to give results over the phone; a clinical staff member can help with this and advise further. All queries are dealt with in strict confidence.

Carole Hughes

Carole joined the dermatology team in December 2017, in her role as clerical officer Carole will be the first person to greet you in Clinic 3, making sure you are booked in and ready to see the Doctor or Specialist Nurse.