Meet Dr Alison Duncan

I have been exposed to all aspects of skin disease, which include, but are not limited to Eczema, Psoriasis, Acne, Inflammatory skin disease and Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating). In addition I have an interest in Paediatric dermatology and Vulval dermatology.

Understandably due to Cayman Islands being blessed with a wealth of sunshine, in some skin types the rate of skin cancer is high. Therefore, I am able to use my in-depth training in skin cancer management to provide good care to my patients. Over the past 5 years as a dermatologist in Cayman, I was able to gain training and extensive experience using the cutting edge FOTOFINDER DERMATOSCOPE SYSTEM. The FotoFinder brand is the global epitome of skin visualization technology. It is used for the early skin cancer detection, hair diagnostics, aesthetics, clinical dermatology and research.

I have also been a Member of the Educational Committee Cayman Islands Cancer Society and have given educational talks to colleagues, church groups and the community about sun awareness and skin cancer prevention. During skin cancer awareness month we give radio talks and host free skin cancer screenings at the Health fair.

I understand the significant impact that skin disease can have on an individual’s quality of life and I aim to provide expert care with compassion.

I commenced my substantive Consultant post in dermatology in 2008 at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, into a unit which consisted of three consultants working single handed in clinic with admitting rights to both hospital sites. I spent 7 years undertaking clinics and surgical lists in dermatology in this busy regional service. We carried out our own contact dermatitis assessment and patch testing as well as managing our own patients in our phototherapy unit and those requiring Photodynamic Therapy (PDT). I performed treatment for hyperhidrosis with botox injections or iontophoresis.

In Royal Preston Hospital, I established and ran the Transplant dermatology service surveying and managing skin disease and cancers in all patients on long term immunosuppression. Close links were forged with the renal, cardiac and liver transplant teams in the prevention, management and treatment of skin cancer in patients with solid organ transplants. In this role I was a member of the Skin Multidisciplinary skin cancer team meetings, which met weekly, and the NSSG (Network Site Specific Group) for skin cancer.

I subsequently had a dedicated once weekly minor surgery list to treat the skin cancers detected and to perform skin curettage, punch biopsy, lesion and cyst excision as well as other minor surgical and cosmetic procedures. I attended a laser course at the Salford Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester and I am keen to obtain further experience in this area.

Due to the nature of dermatology with there being a multitude of dermatological conditions and a dearth of large evidenced based trials – I gained experience using off licence treatments to treat difficult autoimmune, immunobullous diseases and severe pyoderma gangrenosum in conjunction with the Drug and Therapeutics committee in the Trust. I am also experienced in using biologics in the treatment of severe Psoriasis, as I was the principal investigator for the BADBIR (British Association of Dermatologist Biologic Interventions Register) which is an observational UK wide study to assess the long-term safety of biologic treatments for psoriasis in the Trust.

One of my clinical interests was Paediatric dermatology where I ran a weekly paediatric clinic at the Royal Preston Hospital. I have trained in Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool – one of the leading paediatric hospitals in the North West and gained invaluable experience in neonatal skin diseases, exposure to genetic skin diseases as well as the safe use of immunosuppressants in this population.

I have a keen interest in Vulval dermatology and I had experience in managing conditions such as lichen sclerosus to vulval crohns disease. I had attended the BSSVD British Society for the Study of Vulval disease courses and have lectured in vulval dermatology at an overseas meeting.

Although my practice was UK-based I am experienced in recognizing and treating dermatological conditions in skin of colour. I regularly attended the Caribbean Dermatology Meetings where I am a member and speaker. I undertook clinical attachment to the Regional Dermatology Centre in Moshi Tanzania to gain further experience in dermatological manifestations in Africa and in tropical and infectious dermatology during my training. I have also attended the Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists DERMACON meeting in Jaipur India February 2012. At a more practical and recent level, I now have 5 years of direct experience treating skin conditions in skin of colour here as a dermatologist in the Cayman Islands