Not every injury needs a hospital, and not every lump needs a waiting list. We treat a range of minor injuries and carry out small surgical procedures in the clinic, from cuts and wound closures to the removal of cysts, skin lesions and ingrown toenails. Procedures are done under local anaesthetic by experienced clinicians.
What we treat
- Cuts and lacerations that need cleaning and closing with stitches, strips or glue
- Minor burns and scalds, grazes and wounds that need a proper dressing
- Splinters and other small objects under the skin
- Skin lumps: cysts, lipomas, skin tags, warts and moles that catch or have changed
- Ingrown toenails
- Abscesses and boils that need draining
Where a lesion is removed, it can be sent to a laboratory to be examined under a microscope. For a mole or a patch of skin you are worried about, see also dermatology.
When to go to A&E instead
Go to a hospital emergency department, or call 999, for a wound that will not stop bleeding, a deep wound over a joint or with numbness beyond it, a bite to the face or hand, a suspected broken bone, a head injury with loss of consciousness, confusion or vomiting, or a burn that is large, deep or on the face, hands or genitals.
What happens
The clinician examines the area and explains what they recommend, what the alternatives are and what the scar is likely to look like, and you sign a consent form. The skin is cleaned and numbed with an injection of local anaesthetic: this stings for a few seconds, after which you feel touch and pressure but not pain. Most procedures take between fifteen and forty-five minutes, and you go home straight afterwards.
Afterwards
You are given written advice on looking after the wound. In general: keep the dressing dry for the first day or two, take ordinary painkillers if you need them once the anaesthetic wears off, and avoid stretching the area while it heals. Stitches come out after five to fourteen days, depending on where they are. Come back sooner if the wound becomes more painful, red, hot or swollen, starts to discharge, or if you develop a fever.
Before you come
Tell us if you take a blood thinner, have diabetes, have a pacemaker, are allergic to local anaesthetic, latex or dressings, or have ever fainted during a procedure. For a fresh wound, check when you last had a tetanus injection.
Common questions
Will there be a scar? Any cut through the full thickness of the skin leaves one. Careful closure and aftercare keep it as fine as it can be.
Can I drive home? After most procedures, yes. After surgery on a foot or a hand it is sensible to arrange a lift.
How do I know whether my problem is suitable? Describe it when you book. If there is any doubt, a GP appointment comes first.
