Appointments are often available within one week, although availability may vary. If your concern is urgent — for example a rapidly changing mole — please mention this when booking and we’ll do our best to see you sooner.

No. You can book directly with Beacon Vale — no referral needed. If you've already seen your GP or another clinician, you're welcome to bring any letters, photographs or test results with you.

Our consultation fees are transparent and clearly published. Any additional costs, such as investigations, procedures or medications, will always be explained before you decide whether to proceed. Please see our Consultation Fees page for current prices.

Our clinic is conveniently located at The Vine Medical Centre, 13 Tonbridge Road, Maidstone, Kent ME16 8RL, just a 3-minute walk from Maidstone West railway station and within easy reach of Maidstone town centre. Free on-site parking is available for up to 90 minutes, which is sufficient for all routine appointments. Additional public parking is also available nearby for your convenience.

Initial dermatology consultations are typically 20 minutes. This allows time to discuss your concerns, review your medical history, examine your skin where appropriate, explain our findings and discuss suitable treatment options. Minor surgical procedures vary depending on the type and complexity of the procedure. We will advise you of the expected appointment duration when your procedure is arranged.

Your consultation is designed to be thorough and unhurried. During your appointment we will listen carefully to your concerns, review your medical history and current medications where relevant, examine your skin or hair condition where appropriate, explain our clinical findings in clear language, discuss appropriate treatment options and answer your questions, and agree on a personalised management plan together. If further investigations or a procedure are recommended, these will be explained before any decisions are made.

In many cases, yes — many skin conditions can be diagnosed during the consultation itself. Some conditions need a skin biopsy or laboratory tests to confirm the diagnosis; if so, we'll explain exactly why and what happens next.

Where appropriate, treatment may begin during your appointment. Some conditions require additional investigations or procedures before treatment can be recommended. Every treatment plan is based on your individual clinical needs and current evidence-based practice.

Yes, where appropriate, you will receive a personalised treatment plan summarising the agreed management recommendations, together with information about any prescribed treatments, follow-up arrangements and ongoing care.

Yes — where clinically appropriate and within our scope of practice, prescriptions, investigations and referrals can all be arranged. If consultant-led or NHS care would serve you better, we'll say so honestly and help you get there.

With your consent, we can send a summary of your consultation and treatment plan to your GP to help ensure continuity of care. If you prefer not to share information with your GP, please let us know during your appointment unless there is a legal or professional obligation to do so.

Yes, your personal information is handled in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018 and our professional duty of medical confidentiality. Your records will only be shared with other healthcare professionals when necessary for your care, where you have given consent, or where disclosure is required by law.

At present we welcome self-funded patients only, with clear, transparent fees and no referral required — please see our Consultation Fees page. We're working towards accepting private health insurance and hope to welcome insured patients soon; this page will be updated as soon as that changes.

We see patients aged 16 and over. If you're seeking dermatology care for a child under 16, your GP is the best first point of contact and can arrange an appropriate referral.

Yes. A chaperone is available on request for any examination, and one will routinely be offered for intimate examinations in accordance with our Chaperone Policy.

If you need to cancel or rearrange your appointment, please let us know as early as possible. Cancellations made more than two working days before your appointment are eligible for a full refund, less a £10 charge to cover administrative costs, or you may reschedule your appointment free of charge. Cancellations made with two working days' notice or less, or missed appointments without notice, are non-refundable. Full details are available in our Terms and Conditions.

At Beacon Vale, we provide evidence-based dermatology care in a professional, welcoming and unhurried environment. Every consultation is tailored to your individual needs, with time to listen to your concerns, explain your diagnosis clearly and discuss the most appropriate treatment options. Our aim is to help you understand your skin condition, make informed decisions about your care and achieve the best possible outcome through personalised, compassionate and evidence-based treatment.