A Clinical Photographer is a specialised photographer trained to record a wide variety of medical conditions from routine (for example pre- and post-operative photographs) to highly complex photography (for example UV & 3D photographs).

Clinical photographs are taken to help doctors and other health professionals to monitor clinical conditions. They are often used as part of the planning process alongside other tests such as x-rays, scans and blood tests.

Patients can be photographed in a studio using controlled lighting and digital technology. The studio operates a ‘no appointment necessary’ service on Monday, Tuesday & Thursday with most patients being seen either immediately or within a few minutes of arriving. Our digital workflow enables all properly consented clinical images to be viewed by the authorised consultants on CD. Professional clinical photography in the studio ensures patients are photographed according to national guidelines and standardised so as to ensure an accurate medical record.

All clinical images are securely stored in accordance with the Data Protection Act.

On arrival to the department, you will be booked in and your personal details will be checked.

You will then be asked into the studio where the clinical photographer will explain what photographs he/she will need to take.

Depending on which part of the body requires photographing, you may be asked to remove jewellery, make-up and /or clothing. The photographer will also explain and show you how you will need to sit or stand.

Please note: The flash lighting used will be quite bright.

Sometimes mirrors and retractors may be used to assist with seeing into the mouth and hair bands or grips may be used to keep hair away from the face.

Our medical photography department also covers:

Mole mapping - this provides a full set of 14 to 16 standardised baseline high-resolution medical photographs of the entire skin surface. This assists in the earlier diagnosis of malignant melanoma. Mole mapping is particularly relevant for people with many and diverse moles.

3D mapping photography can also be undertaken on request for Craniofacial surgery via Medical Physics We also operate a medico-legal photography service for both NHS staff and commercial organisations.

The photographer will explain which aspects of your condition we want to photograph and show you how you need to sit or stand in order to help produce anatomically correct medical records. We use flash lighting, which can be quite bright as the photograph is taken, so be careful not to look directly at the lights. We sometimes use mirrors and retractors to see into the mouth and might need to use hair bands or hair grips to keep the hair away from your face. If you feel uncomfortable at any point, please tell the photographer. Once the photographs have been taken, you are then free to go and the images will be uploaded for your consultant to view.

Occasionally doctors may want to publish your images to increase knowledge and understanding of your condition. If your doctor wants to publish your images, they must obtain your written consent to do so. You should be aware that once your images have been published it is no longer possible to withdraw consent.

The time frame for presenting printed image templates is seven working days (sooner on special arrangement).

Other usual timeframes are:

  • Photographic CDs: two working days.
  • Radiology and CT scans: five working days
  • Video and DVD: ten working days.
  • Cranio facial 3D Mapping on request

Chaperones for female patients can be arranged.

A Photo DVD of your mapping can be requested once your mapping has been completed.

The Medical Photography Studio is located on Level Lower Ground in the Outpatients Tower, situated at the physiotherapy department. Please report to the reception desk on your arrival. Contact phone number 07946 552217