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 planning 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 and clinicians on secure trust computers. Professional clinical photography in the studio ensures patients are photographed according to national guidelines are standardised as to ensure an accurate medical record.
All clinical images are securely stored in accordance with the Data Protection Act. (DPA 2018)
On arrival to the department, you will be booked in and your personal details will be checked. You will be asked to sit in the waiting room while the photographer sets the studio.
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/strobe lighting used will be quite bright.
Sometimes mirrors and retractors may be used to assist with seeing into the mouth. Hair bands or grips may be used to keep hair away from the face. We may ask you to remove make-up if it occludes the area of interest.
Our Clinical 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 diverse pigmentation and many 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.
Video production: We also produce short films to help families to deliver care at home, for instance giving medicines or about specific tests or scans. We will require a full brief and script for such projects. These processes are very intensive and require comprehensive planning. All videos which are created will be subject for review by the Communications dept.
Medico Legal Photography: We also provide litigation claims for people seeking compensation for loss of time, earnings and personal injury. One of the key factors in a successful claim is strong, supportive visual evidence, in the form of reliable photographs, to bring about a quick settlement.
We are able to produce photographic and 3D imagery as evidence for you and your clients to support cases for Medico legal claims.
With our expertise and experience we document injuries by standardising the photography: objectively illustrating the scars or injuries using controlled lighting techniques.
Our studio lighting and equipment can clearly record diabetic feet conditions, arthroplasties, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, carpal tunnel syndrome, sports medicine, paediatric orthopaedics, spine (scoliosis), ergonomics and compartment syndrome. Scaring and keliod tissue can be recorded accurately.
The photographer will explain which aspects of your condition are required 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 leave 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 DVDs: two working days.
- Radiology and CT scans: five working days
- Video and DVD: 10 working days.
- Cranio Facial 3D Mapping on request
Chaperones for female patients can be arranged on visit.
A Photo DVD of your mapping can be requested once your mapping has been completed. This request will be complete within five working days.
The Clinical Photography Studio is located on Level Lower Ground in the UCLH Tower, situated within the Therapies & Rehabilitation dept. Please report to the reception desk on your arrival.
Contact phone number: 07946 552217